Abstract
A theoretical model is proposed for the formation of cell distribution patterns in the slug stage of the cellular slime moldDictyostelium discoideum. The equilibrium distribution of two types of cells, prestalk and prespore, is obtained by minimizing the free energy, which is defined in terms of differential chemotaxis, differential cell adhesion and randomness of cell movement. Resulting distributions show various segregation patterns of cell types. The condition for cell sorting is obtained from stability analysis of the set of diffusion equations governing the evolution of cell type distribution and the concentration of chemoattractant. The intensities of differential chemotaxis and random cell movement are quantitatively evaluated from experimental data to show that two cell types can sort themselves completely by these forces.
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Umeda, T. A thermodynamical model of cell distributions in the slug of cellular slime mold. Bltn Mathcal Biology 55, 451–464 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460891
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02460891