Comparison of reaction-diffusion simulations with experiment in self-organised microtubule solutions.
This article deals with the physical chemical processes underlying biological self-organization by which an initially homogenous solution of reacting chemicals spontaneously self-organizes so as to give rise to a preparation of macroscopic order and form. Theoreticians have predicted that self-organization can arise from a coupling of reactive processes with molecular diffusion. In addition, the presence or absence of an external field, such as gravity, at a critical moment early in the self-organizing process may determine the morphology that subsequently develops. We have found that the formation in vitro of microtubules, a major element of the cellular skeleton, show this type of behaviour. The microtubule preparations spontaneously self-organise by way of reaction and diffusion, and the morphology of the state that forms depends on the presence of gravity at a critical moment early in the process. We have developed a numerical reaction-diffusion scheme, based on the chemical dynamics of a population of microtubules, which simulates the experimental self-organisation. In this article we outline the main features of these simulations and discuss the manner by which a permanent dialogue with experiment has helped develop a microscopic understanding of the collective behaviour.
Glade
Nicolas
N
Département de biologie moléculaire et structurale, laboratoire de résonance magnétique en biologie métabolique, DSV, CEA Grenoble, 17, rue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble, France.
Demongeot
Jacques
J
Tabony
James
J
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D008870:Microtubules / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008954:Models, Biological; D014404:Tubulin / Q000502:physiology
D014404:Tubulin; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate