title: A mechanochemical model for embryonic pattern formation: coupling tissue mechanics and morphogen expression.
abstract: Motivated by recent experimental findings, we propose a novel mechanism of embryonic pattern formation based on coupling of tissue curvature with diffusive signaling by a chemical factor. We derive a new mathematical model using energy minimization approach and show that the model generates a variety of morphogen and curvature patterns agreeing with experimentally observed structures. The mechanism proposed transcends the classical Turing concept which requires interactions between two morphogens with a significantly different diffusivity. Our studies show how biomechanical forces may replace the elusive long-range inhibitor and lead to formation of stable spatially heterogeneous structures without existence of chemical prepatterns. We propose new experimental approaches to decisively test our central hypothesis that tissue curvature and morphogen expression are coupled in a positive feedback loop.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Mathematics, BioQuant and Interdisciplinary Center of Scientific Computing (IWR), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mercker
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Center of Scientific Computing (IWR), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ; Siemens AG, Corporate Technology, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Mathematics, BioQuant and Interdisciplinary Center of Scientific Computing (IWR), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marciniak-Czochra
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019521:Body Patterning; D003198:Computer Simulation; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis; D015398:Signal Transduction