RASG PROTEIN ACCUMULATION OCCURS JUST PRIOR TO AMEBAS EMERGENCE DURING SPORE GERMINATION IN DICTYOSTELIUM-DISCOIDEUM

RasG protein levels in dormant and germinating spores of Dictyostelium discoideum strains JC1 and SG1 were estimated by Western blotting. Ra sG levels were very low in dormant spores and remained low during the lag period, regardless of whether spores were heat activated or treate d with autoactivator during the early stages of spore germination. Ras G levels increased late during spore swelling just prior to the emerge nce stage of germination. These data are consistent with a requirement for RasG during vegetative growth.