Trimethyltin inhibits the chemotaxis ofDictyostelium discoideum amoebae

The effect of trimethyltin (TMT) on the chemotaxis of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae in developing concentration gradients of folic acid (FA), cAMP, Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ has been studied with quantitative, computer-assisted methods. A “U” shaped pocket-like chamber, permitting the monitoring of the locomotion of individual cells, was used to observe the chemotactic response of amoebae. We found that TMT slightly affected the motile activity of cells but completely inhibited the chemotactic response of Dictyostelium discoideum cells towards all the tested chemoattractants. Moreover, the treatment of Dictyostelium amoebae with TMT caused the disruption of microtubules, suggesting that they have a role in the polarization and directional movement of these cells.