title: Mathematically modelling the effects of counting factor in Dictyostelium discoideum.
abstract: Size regulation is a crucial feature in many biological systems, with misregulation leading to dysplasia or hyperplasia. The recent discovery of counting factor (CF) in Dictyostelium discoideum will lead to a greater understanding of how the system regulates the size of a group of cells. In this paper we mathematically model the known effects of CF using two different models: a cellular automata model and a discrete continuum hybrid model. With the use of these models we are able to understand how modulation of adhesion and motile forces by CF can facilitate stream breakup. In addition, the modelling suggests a new possible mechanism for stream breakup involving the frequency of cell reorientation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602-6539, USA. dallon@math.byu.edu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dallon
authors.forename: Wonhee
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gomer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C120918:countin protein, Dictyostelium discoideum; D000242:Cyclic AMP