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Pldb, A Putative Phospholipase D Homologue, Mediates Quorum Sensing In Dictyostelium Discoideum Development, Yi Chen
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Quorum sensing, the ability to measure the local cell density, is required for animal cells to achieve proper cell growth, differentiation and development. However, because of the genetic intractability of mammalian cells, we study quorum sensing in the genetically pliable unicellular eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum. D. discoideum cells live as individual cells under vegetative conditions. Starvation sets off development to a multicellular organism. But cells won't develop unless enough cells are under starvation conditions. Approximately 105 cells are needed to form a fruiting body, the final stage of the development. When starved, cells are able to calculate the concentration …