Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Self-regenerating trigger waves can spread rapidly through the crowded cytoplasm without diminishing in amplitude or speed, providing consistent, reliable, long-range communication. The macromolecular concentration of the cytoplasm varies in response to physiological and environmental fluctuations, raising the question of how or if trigger waves can robustly operate in the face of such fluctuations. Using Xenopus extracts, we find that mitotic and apoptotic trigger wave speeds are remarkably invariant. We derive a model that accounts for this robustness and for the eventual slowing at extremely high and low cytoplasmic concentrations. The model implies that the positive and negative effects of cytoplasmic concentration (increased reactant concentration vs. increased viscosity) are nearly precisely balanced. Accordingly, artificially maintaining a constant cytoplasmic viscosity during dilution abrogates this robustness. The robustness in trigger wave speeds may contribute to the reliability of the extremely rapid embryonic cell cycle.
Source: Nature Communications
Language: English
Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,790
Awards: G1069089966, G1937537863, G3568081881, G5841889156, Reconstructing and deconstructing intracellular signaling at the membrane-cytosol interface, Cytoplasmic organization and systems-level function in Xenopus extracts, Reconstructing and deconstructing intracellular signaling at the membrane-cytosol interface
OpenAlex ID: W4400509159