TheDictyostelium cytoskeleton

New avenues of cytoskeleton research inDictyostelium discoideum have opened up with the cloning of the - and -tubulin genes and the characterization of kinesins and cytoplasmic dynein. Much research, however, continues to focus on the actin cytoskeleton and its dynamics during chemotaxis, morphogenesis, and other motile processes. New actin-associated proteins are being identified and characterized by biochemical means and through isolation of mutants lacking individual components. This work is shedding light on the roles of specific actin assemblies in various biological processes.