Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
7206
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-8-15
pubmed:abstractText
Diverse cell polarity networks require positive feedback for locally amplifying distributions of signalling molecules at the plasma membrane. Additional mechanisms, such as directed transport or coupled inhibitors, have been proposed to be required for reinforcing a unique axis of polarity. Here we analyse a simple model of positive feedback, with strong analogy to the 'stepping stone' model of population genetics, in which a single species of diffusible, membrane-bound signalling molecules can self-recruit from a cytoplasmic pool. We identify an intrinsic stochastic mechanism through which positive feedback alone is sufficient to account for the spontaneous establishment of a single site of polarity. We find that the polarization frequency has an inverse dependence on the number of signalling molecules: the frequency of polarization decreases as the number of molecules becomes large. Experimental observation of polarizing Cdc42 in budding yeast is consistent with this prediction. Our work suggests that positive feedback can work alone or with additional mechanisms to create robust cell polarity.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:commentsCorrections
http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-11113154, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-11927541, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-12080346, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-12124397, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-12526794, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-12560471, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-14507480, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-14988726, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-15353546, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-15921909, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-16198298, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-16239477, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-16921364, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-17051695, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-17085488, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-17248204, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-17373658, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-17448998, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-17576765, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-17704154, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-18158244, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-4663624, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-8608587, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/18704086-9128251
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
1476-4687
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
14
pubmed:volume
454
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
886-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2011-3-23
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
On the spontaneous emergence of cell polarity.
pubmed:affiliation
Green Center for Systems Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA. steven.altschuler@utsouthwestern.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural