| Abstract: | In these studies, Dictyostelium discoideum nucleotide metabolism during cellular development was examined. Aspartate Transcarbamylase (ATCase) is the first enzyme unique to pyrimidine synthesis de novo and it was found to be lacking allosteric controll. However, ATCase activity decreased precipitously during cellular development from amoeba to spore. In addition, nucleotide pool levels were found to be maintained until aggregation occurred and then to decrease dramatically during cellular differentiation. Similarly, energy charge in the cell rose until aggregation and then declined. Several presumptive regulatory molecules were also observed to be present and quantitative by high pressure liquid chromatography during development. |
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