We developed a method to enlarge Dictyostelium discoideum cells by partial cytokinesis inhibition, generating multinucleated yet functional giant cells. These cells retained chemotactic signaling, polarity, and motility, enabling high-resolution live-cell imaging. Using fluorescent probes for cAMP and Ca2+, we uncovered a directional, front-to-rear propagation of cAMP signaling and a biphasic Ca2+ response coordinated with actin wave dynamics.
See details in Hayashida, et. al. (2025) bioRxiv.
Hayashida, Yukihisa, Gomibuchi, Yuki, Oosawa, Chikoo, Yasunaga, Takuo, Morimoto, Yusuke V. (2026) Establishing functional giant Dictyostelium cells reveals front–rear polarity in intracellular signaling, Communications Biology, Volume 9, Number 1, 71
Published in Jan. 21, 2026
(Abstract) Intracellular signaling dynamics are often obscured by the spatial and temporal limitations of cell size. Here, we developed a method to enlarge Dictyostelium discoideum cells by partial cytokinesis inhibition, generating multinucleated yet functional giant cells. These cells retained chemotactic signaling, polarity, and motility, enabling high-resolution live-cell imaging. Using fluorescent probes for cAMP and Ca2+, we uncovered a directional, front-to-rear propagation of cAMP signaling and a biphasic Ca2+ response coordinated with actin wave dynamics. Grid-based mapping revealed asymmetric cAMP synthesis and decay kinetics, and vesicle localization suggested spatially regulated cAMP secretion. Our findings demonstrate that intracellular signaling involves self-organized, spatially structured propagation events aligned with cellular polarity. The giant cell platform offers a powerful and generalizable strategy for dissecting the spatiotemporal logic of single-cell signaling.
Hayashida, Yukihisa, Gomibuchi, Yuki, Oosawa, Chikoo, Yasunaga, Takuo, Morimoto, Yusuke V. (2025/01/01), Front–rear polarity of intracellular signaling uncovered via giant <em>Dictyostelium</em> cells, bioRxiv, 2025.06.30.662253
Published in 2025/01/01
(Abstract) None