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Geometric cues stabilise long-axis polarisation of PAR protein patterns in C. elegans

Author

Listed:
  • Raphaela Geßele

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

  • Jacob Halatek

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

  • Laeschkir Würthner

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

  • Erwin Frey

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

Abstract

In the Caenorhabditis elegans zygote, PAR protein patterns, driven by mutual anatagonism, determine the anterior-posterior axis and facilitate the redistribution of proteins for the first cell division. Yet, the factors that determine the selection of the polarity axis remain unclear. We present a reaction-diffusion model in realistic cell geometry, based on biomolecular reactions and accounting for the coupling between membrane and cytosolic dynamics. We find that the kinetics of the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle of PARs and the diffusive protein fluxes from the cytosol towards the membrane are crucial for the robust selection of the anterior-posterior axis for polarisation. The local ratio of membrane surface to cytosolic volume is the main geometric cue that initiates pattern formation, while the choice of the long-axis for polarisation is largely determined by the length of the aPAR-pPAR interface, and mediated by processes that minimise the diffusive fluxes of PAR proteins between cytosol and membrane.

Suggested Citation

  • Raphaela Geßele & Jacob Halatek & Laeschkir Würthner & Erwin Frey, 2020. "Geometric cues stabilise long-axis polarisation of PAR protein patterns in C. elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14317-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14317-w
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