Evolution of hierarchy and irreversibility in theoretical cell differentiation model.

ABSTRACT: The process of cell differentiation in multicellular organisms is characterized by hierarchy and irreversibility in many cases. However, the conditions and selection pressures that give rise to these characteristics remain poorly understood. By using a mathematical model, here we show that the network of differentiation potency (differentiation diagram) becomes necessarily hierarchical and irreversible by increasing the number of terminally differentiated states under certain conditions. The mechanisms generating these characteristics are clarified using geometry in the cell state space. The results demonstrate that the hierarchical organization and irreversibility can manifest independently of direct selection pressures associated with these characteristics, instead they appear to evolve

SUBMITTER: Nakamura YT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10776358 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature