Regulation of Gene Expression in the Cell Cycle of Physarum

Sauer, Helmut W.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-384650-1.50012-4

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In a non-dividing cell, such as a neuron, chromatin can be readily opened and gene transcription can occur at any time. By contrast, in a dividing cell such as P. polycephalum , chromatin undergoes dramatic compaction during mitosis, which precludes gene transcription [103]. Hence, in P. polycephalum , gene transcription is temporally restricted, setting up critical temporal windows during which this process must take place.…”

Section: Oscillations In Physarum Polycephalummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In P. polycephalum , the phase G1 is absent, the S-phase lasts for 2–3 h, followed by a long G2 phase and 30 min mitosis (the nuclear division itself) [28]. In P. polycephalum , gene transcription, and in particular mRNA transcription, goes from zero during mitosis to a maximum in early S-phase [103]. Remarkably, the plasmodium exhibits synchronous mitotic division of its entire population of nuclei, and therefore the number of nuclei doubles every cell cycle [28].…”

Section: Oscillations In Physarum Polycephalummentioning

confidence: 99%

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Adaptive behaviour and learning in slime moulds: the role of oscillations

Boussard

Fessel

Oettmeier

et al. 2021

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The slime mould Physarum polycephalum , an aneural organism, uses information from previous experiences to adjust its behaviour, but the mechanisms by which this is accomplished remain unknown. This article examines the possible role of oscillations in learning and memory in slime moulds. Slime moulds share surprising similarities with the network of synaptic connections in animal brains. First, their topology derives from a network of interconnected, vein-like tubes in which signalling molecules are transported. Second, network motility, which generates slime mould behaviour, is driven by distinct oscillations that organize into spatio-temporal wave patterns. Likewise, neural activity in the brain is organized in a variety of oscillations characterized by different frequencies. Interestingly, the oscillating networks of slime moulds are not precursors of nervous systems but, rather, an alternative architecture. Here, we argue that comparable information-processing operations can be realized on different architectures sharing similar oscillatory properties. After describing learning abilities and oscillatory activities of P. polycephalum , we explore the relation between network oscillations and learning, and evaluate the organism's global architecture with respect to information-processing potential. We hypothesize that, as in the brain, modulation of spontaneous oscillations may sustain learning in slime mould. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Basal cognition: conceptual tools and the view from the single cell’.

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Section: Oscillations In Physarum Polycephalummentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Oscillations In Physarum Polycephalummentioning

confidence: 99%