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Biological Sciences

Cotter, David A.
Professor
B.S. (Penn State), M.S., Ph.D. (Wisconsin)

Signal transduction, cell fate determination,
germination,proteases, bioremediation
Contact Information
Office Location: Biology Building - 318
Tel: (519) 253-3000 ext. 4752
Fax: (519) 971-3609
Email: cotter1@uwindsor.ca




Research Outline
The research in our laboratory is concerned with the cellular and molecular development of social amoebae such as Dictyostelium discoideum and Polysphondylium pallidum. These soil organisms undergo complex life cycle stages which may be modified by physical and chemical changes in the environment. Our research is concerned with how the organisms signal each other as well as the effect of toxic chemicals on the signaling process; we can study these effects using microtitre plate wells containing a relatively low cell density. An additional stage in the life cycle which can be disrupted by signal transduction inhibitors is spore germination.

Potential Projects for New Students
  • What environmental signals trigger spore germination
  • What environmental signals block spore germination
  • Do environmental spills of chemicals such as solvents, and heavy metals, dioxin, and PCBs disrupt any portion of the life cycle? How are protein degrading enzymes (proteases) affected by environmental contaminants?

Selected Publications

Xu, Q., M. Ibarra, D. Mahadeo, C. Shaw, Erong Huang, A. Kuspa, D. Cotter and G. Shaulsky. 2004. Transcriptional transitions during Dictyosteliumspore germination. Eukaryotic Cell 3:1101-1110.

Escalante, R., Y. Yamada, D. Cotter, L. Sastre, and M. Sameshima. 2004. The MADS-box transcription factor SrfA is required for actin cytoskeleton organization and spore coat stability during Dictyosteliumsporulation. Mechanisms of Development 121:51-56.

Xenia, Ma., U. Garcia, H. Alexander, D. Mahadeo, D.A. Cotter, and S. Alexander. 2003. The Dictyostelium discoideumprespore-specific Catalase B functions to control late development and to protect spore viability. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1641:55-64.

Sameshima, M., Y. Kishi, M. Osumi, D. Mahadeo, and D.A. Cotter. 2002. Electron microscopy of actin rods and bundles in Dictyostelium discoideumby high pressure freezing. J. Electron Microscopy 51:337-340.

Kishi, Y., T. Sugo, D. Mahadeo, D. Cotter, and M. Sameshima. 2001.
S-adenosyl-L-homoserine hydrolase is sequestered into actin rods in Dictyostelium discoideumspores. FEBS Letters 508:433-437.


Cotter, D.A., D.C. Mahadeo, D.N. Cervi, Y. Kishi, K. Gale, T. Sands, and M. Sameshima. 2000. Environmental regulation of pathways controlling sporulation, dormancy and germination utilizes bacterial-like signaling complexes in Dictyostelium discoideum.Protist 151:111-126.