A simulation environment for directional sensing as a phase separation process.
The ability of eukaryotic cells to navigate along spatial gradients of extracellular guidance cues is crucial for embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and cancer progression. One proposed model for chemotaxis is a phosphoinositide-based phase separation process, which takes place at the plasma membrane upon chemoattractant stimulation and triggers directional motility of eukaryotic cells. Here, we make available virtual-cell software that allows the execution and spatiotemporal analysis of in silico chemotaxis experiments, in which the user can control physical and chemical parameters as well as the number and position of chemoattractant sources.
de Candia
Antonio
A
Department of Physical Sciences, Università di Napoli Federico II, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica della Materia, and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Unità di Napoli, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
Gamba
Andrea
A
Cavalli
Fausto
F
Coniglio
Antonio
A
Di Talia
Stefano
S
Bussolino
Federico
F
Serini
Guido
G
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003199:Computer Systems; D003600:Cytosol / Q000502:physiology; D003626:Data Display; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008838:Microcomputers; D008954:Models, Biological; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000502:physiology; D012984:Software; D013269:Stochastic Processes
D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols