Cell pelotons: a model of early evolutionary cell sorting, with
application to slime mold D. discoideum
release_osgxcdf3q5cxnd4aw7ljx5e2tu
by
Hugh Trenchard
2019
Abstract
A theoretical model is presented for early evolutionary cell sorting within
cellular aggregates. The model involves an energy-saving mechanism and
principles of collective self-organization analogous to those observed in
bicycle pelotons (groups of cyclists). The theoretical framework is applied to
slime-mold slugs (Dictyostelium discoideum) and incorporated into a computer
simulation which demonstrates principally the sorting of cells between the
anterior and posterior slug regions. The simulation relies on an existing
simulation of bicycle peloton dynamics which is modified to incorporate a
limited range of cell metabolic capacities among heterogeneous cells, along
with a tunable energy-expenditure parameter, referred to as an 'output-level'
or 'starvation-level' to reflect diminishing energetic supply, proto-cellular
dynamics are modelled for three output phases: 'active', 'suffering', and
'dying or dead.' Adjusting the starvation parameter causes cell differentiation
and sorting into sub-groups within the cellular aggregate. Tuning of the
starvation parameter demonstrates how weak or expired cells shuffle backward
within the cellular aggregate.
In text/plain
format
Archived Files and Locations
application/pdf 951.7 kB
file_wlrkgnfprzbfnce4vms4kizjua
|
arxiv.org (repository) web.archive.org (webarchive) |
1902.07601v1
access all versions, variants, and formats of this works (eg, pre-prints)