Turing structures in an enzyme-induction system with gap junction-mediated non-linear diffusion.
Two cells, each containing a reaction system modeling genetic induction, are coupled by diffusion. The substrate is moving through gap junctions, the number of which is regulated by the adjacent cells. This leads to a non-linear substrate diffusion term in the rate equations. Stability analysis reveals the conditions for the emergence of stable asymmetric solutions (dissipative structures). Due to non-linear diffusion rigid restrictions on the ratio of the two diffusion constants no longer exist. We demonstrate that substances operating as regulators of intercellular communication and participating in cellular metabolism may exhibit morphogenetic functions.
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D017630:Connexins; D004058:Diffusion; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis
D017630:Connexins; D004798:Enzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins