Multiple forms of enzymes in a cellular slime mold during morphogenesis

Electrophoretic patterns of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and nonspecific esterase were investigated in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum by means of starch gel electrophoresis and biochemical techniques. Acid phosphatase was shown to be present in all stages of the life cycle of the slime mold and was separated into five individual bands by the methods of zone electrophoresis employed. Alkaline phosphatase was shown to exist in two forms in this organism, and nonspecific esterase was present in ten distinct forms. The greatest number of enzymatic forms as well as the maximum staining by each group of enzymes was invariably detected during the migrating pseudoplasmodium and culmination stages. In contrast, minimal activity was present in the mature spores. It is suggested that differentiation of this slime mold is accompanied by synthesis of additional enzymatic forms at certain periods during development.