Potential morphogens involved in pattern formation during Dictyostelium differentiation

Upon starvation, Dictyostelium amoebae aggregate together and then differentiate into either the stalk or spore cells that, respectively, form the stalk and sorus of the fruiting body. During differentiation, the prestalk and prespore cells become spatially segregated in a clearly defined developmental pattern. Several low molecular weight molecules that influence cell type determination during in vitro differentiation have been identified. The possible role of these molecules as morphogens, responsible for the formation of the developmental pattern, is discussed.