On the spontaneous emergence of cell polarity

Steven J. Altschuler (), Sigurd B. Angenent, Yanqin Wang and Lani F. Wu ()
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Steven J. Altschuler: Green Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
Sigurd B. Angenent: University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
Yanqin Wang: Green Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
Lani F. Wu: Green Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA

Nature, 2008, vol. 454, issue 7206, 886-889

Abstract: Computational cell biology: follow this molecule Many cell types can spontaneously switch from spatial homogeneity to a polarized state — even without external cues. A mathematical model now strips this phenomenon down to its bare bones. Favouring chance recruitment of a given signalling molecule to sites at the cell's membrane where it is already bound — a positive feedback — is sufficient to allow the spontaneous emergence of polarity, provided that the total pool of this molecule is small. When the number of molecules becomes too high, other biological mechanisms such as cytoskeleton-based transport are needed. The model is reminiscent of some population genetics studies and is confirmed experimentally in Cdc42-dependent polarization of yeast cells.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07119

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