CYCLIC-AMP CONTROL-SYSTEM IN DEVELOPMENT OF DICTYOSTELIUM-DISCOIDEUM .2. ALLOSTERIC MODEL

An allosteric model for the synthesis and release of cAMP by cells of Dictyostelium discoideum is developed, and matched to experimental data on autonomous and refractory periods, delay and release times, and relaying thresholds. In addition, the model predicts recruitment and center inhibition effects, and chemotactic sorting out of cells to form a descending gradient of cAMP content down the slug. This gradient is tied to an opposing gradient in stored reserves which assigns cells with the highest compliment of stored reserves to the prespore region. © 1978.