The effect of tunicamycin on cell-surface changes associated with development and differentiation of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Developmental changes in surface properties of Dictyostelium discoideum cells have been detected by partitioning. Changes occurring between 0 and 6 h development were not affected by tunicamycin but subsequent changes associated with formation of presumptive spore cells were inhibited. It would seem that only the latter changes are dependent on glycoprotein synthesis.