Mechanochemical symmetry breaking in hydra aggregates

Tissue morphogenesis comprises the self-organized creation of various patterns and shapes. Although detailed underlying mechanisms are still elusive in many cases, an increasing amount of experimental data suggests that chemical morphogen and mechanical processes are strongly coupled. Here, we devel...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mercker, Moritz (Author) , Köthe, Alexandra (Author) , Marciniak-Czochra, Anna (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 5 May 2015
In: Biophysical journal
Year: 2015, Volume: 108, Issue: 9, Pages: 2396-2407
ISSN:1542-0086
DOI:10.1016/j.bpj.2015.03.033
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2015.03.033
Verlag, Volltext: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006349515002945
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Author Notes:Moritz Mercker, Alexandra Köthe, Anna Marciniak-Czochra
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Summary:Tissue morphogenesis comprises the self-organized creation of various patterns and shapes. Although detailed underlying mechanisms are still elusive in many cases, an increasing amount of experimental data suggests that chemical morphogen and mechanical processes are strongly coupled. Here, we develop and test a minimal model of the axis-defining step (i.e., symmetry breaking) in aggregates of the Hydra polyp. Based on previous findings, we combine osmotically driven shape oscillations with tissue mechanics and morphogen dynamics. We show that the model incorporating a simple feedback loop between morphogen patterning and tissue stretch reproduces a wide range of experimental data. Finally, we compare different hypothetical morphogen patterning mechanisms (Turing, tissue-curvature, and self-organized criticality). Our results suggest the experimental investigation of bigger (i.e., multiple head) aggregates as a key step for a deeper understanding of mechanochemical symmetry breaking in Hydra.
Item Description:Gesehen am 01.08.2017
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1542-0086
DOI:10.1016/j.bpj.2015.03.033