Logo image
Back
A Two-Dimensional mathematical model for dorsal appendagecell patterning in drosophila
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A Two-Dimensional mathematical model for dorsal appendagecell patterning in drosophila

B.S. Gardiner, D.W. Smith and P. Pivonka
Developmental Biology, Vol.283(2)
2005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.04.040
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

Shvartsman et al. [1] have recently proposed a mathematical model of the EGF receptor pathway activation in the predevelopment of dorsal appendages (DA) in Drosophila. In particular, a one-dimensional model for the interaction of the ligands: Gurken, Rhomboid, Spitz, and Argos, was presented, with a predefined Gurken shape and evolution. With their model, they were able to reproduce many of the observed behaviors of these ligands about the midline of the anterior – dorsal region of the oocyte, and even predict mutations. A subsequent experimental study [2] showed that the number of DA varies between species of Drosophila and is related to differences in the expression of Argos and Rhomboid. This is a startling demonstration of the power of mathematics for predicting the range of states available to a biological system. Here, we present results of a 2-dimensional (2D) extension to the above model. With an axisymmetric concentration of Gurken, the 2D model predicts the possibility of concentric rings of DA. Indeed concentric rings have been observed in experiments in which the oocyte nucleus was (abnormally) localized in the posterior region [3]. By including an additional morphogen, Decapentaplegic (Dpp), which is known to display an anterior – posterior gradient in anterior – dorsal follicle cells, we demonstrate that Dpp can determine the anterior – posterior extent of the DA follicle cell patterning.

Details

Metrics

66 Record Views
Logo image