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. 1995 May 9;92(10):4387–4391. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.10.4387

Three-dimensional scroll waves of cAMP could direct cell movement and gene expression in Dictyostelium slugs.

T Bretschneider 1, F Siegert 1, C J Weijer 1
PMCID: PMC41949  PMID: 7753816

Abstract

Complex three-dimensional waves of excitation can explain the observed cell movement pattern in Dictyostelium slugs. Here we show that these three-dimensional waves can be produced by a realistic model for the cAMP relay system [Martiel, J. L. & Goldbeter, A. (1987) Biophys J. 52, 807-828]. The conversion of scroll waves in the prestalk zone of the slug into planar wave fronts in the prespore zone can result from a smaller fraction of relaying cells in the prespore zone. Further, we show that the cAMP concentrations to which cells in a slug are exposed over time display a simple pattern, despite the complex spatial geometry of the waves. This cAMP distribution agrees well with observed patterns of cAMP-regulated cell type-specific gene expression. The core of the spiral, which is a region of low cAMP concentration, might direct expression of stalk-specific genes during culmination.

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