A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation.
We describe a mathematical model for the aggregation of starved first-stage C elegans larvae (L1s). We propose that starved L1s produce and respond chemotactically to two labile diffusible chemical signals, a short-range attractant and a longer range repellent. This model takes the mathematical form...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2021-07-01
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| Series: | PLoS Computational Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009231 |
| _version_ | 1818344868353671168 |
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| author | Leon Avery Brian Ingalls Catherine Dumur Alexander Artyukhin |
| author_facet | Leon Avery Brian Ingalls Catherine Dumur Alexander Artyukhin |
| author_sort | Leon Avery |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We describe a mathematical model for the aggregation of starved first-stage C elegans larvae (L1s). We propose that starved L1s produce and respond chemotactically to two labile diffusible chemical signals, a short-range attractant and a longer range repellent. This model takes the mathematical form of three coupled partial differential equations, one that describes the movement of the worms and one for each of the chemical signals. Numerical solution of these equations produced a pattern of aggregates that resembled that of worm aggregates observed in experiments. We also describe the identification of a sensory receptor gene, srh-2, whose expression is induced under conditions that promote L1 aggregation. Worms whose srh-2 gene has been knocked out form irregularly shaped aggregates. Our model suggests this phenotype may be explained by the mutant worms slowing their movement more quickly than the wild type. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T16:53:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be9bf7ec68a94de1a31719aec04d19bf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1553-734X 1553-7358 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T16:53:19Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Computational Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-be9bf7ec68a94de1a31719aec04d19bf2022-12-21T23:37:58ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Computational Biology1553-734X1553-73582021-07-01177e100923110.1371/journal.pcbi.1009231A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation.Leon AveryBrian IngallsCatherine DumurAlexander ArtyukhinWe describe a mathematical model for the aggregation of starved first-stage C elegans larvae (L1s). We propose that starved L1s produce and respond chemotactically to two labile diffusible chemical signals, a short-range attractant and a longer range repellent. This model takes the mathematical form of three coupled partial differential equations, one that describes the movement of the worms and one for each of the chemical signals. Numerical solution of these equations produced a pattern of aggregates that resembled that of worm aggregates observed in experiments. We also describe the identification of a sensory receptor gene, srh-2, whose expression is induced under conditions that promote L1 aggregation. Worms whose srh-2 gene has been knocked out form irregularly shaped aggregates. Our model suggests this phenotype may be explained by the mutant worms slowing their movement more quickly than the wild type.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009231 |
| spellingShingle | Leon Avery Brian Ingalls Catherine Dumur Alexander Artyukhin A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation. PLoS Computational Biology |
| title | A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation. |
| title_full | A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation. |
| title_fullStr | A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation. |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation. |
| title_short | A Keller-Segel model for C elegans L1 aggregation. |
| title_sort | keller segel model for c elegans l1 aggregation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009231 |
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