Evolutionarily conserved coupling of adaptive and excitable networks mediates eukaryotic chemotaxis.

ABSTRACT: Numerous models explain how cells sense and migrate towards shallow chemoattractant gradients. Studies show that an excitable signal transduction network acts as a pacemaker that controls the cytoskeleton to drive motility. Here we show that this network is required to link stimuli to actin polymerization and chemotactic motility and we distinguish the various models of chemotaxis. First, signalling activity is suppressed towards the low side in a gradient or following removal of uniform chemoattractant. Second, signalling activities display a rapid shut off and a slower adaptation during which responsiveness to subsequent test stimuli decline. Simulations of various models indicate that these properties require coupled adaptive and excitable networks. Adaptation involves a G-protein-indep

SUBMITTER: Tang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4211273 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature