title: The dynein-triggered ciliary motion in embryonic nodes: an exploratory study based on computational models.
abstract: The cilia, presenting a rotational movement in the embryonic nodes, play a crucial role in the left-right specification during embryogenesis. The characteristic architecture of these cilia is based on a cylindrical arrangement of 9 doublet microtubules and the motion of the cilia is triggered by the dynein motors located between adjacent doublets by converting the chemical energy into mechanical work. Restricted by the inherent difficulties of experiments, the dynein activation patterns in moving cilia cannot be directly observed. Thus, the mechanism of nodal ciliary movement is still unclear. In this study, we present computational models of the nodal ciliary ultrastructure based on tomographic images of the ciliary body. By employing time accurate three-dimensional solid mechanics analysis, we investigate the dynein-triggered sliding between adjacent doublet microtubules and simulate the induced ciliary bending. As an exploratory study, two dynein activation patterns are proposed and their rationality is discussed. The mathematical model presented by this paper provides a platform to investigate various assumptions of dynein activity, facilitating us to propose the most possible dynein activation pattern and therefore improving our understandings regarding the protein-beating problems of cilia.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Duanduan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Developmental Genetics Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Kyosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Ultra-high Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Ultra-high Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: Developmental Genetics Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002923:Cilia / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004398:Dyneins / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D004627:Embryonic Induction / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D054261:Neurulation
chemical_list: D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D004398:Dyneins
keywords: Cilia; dynein; embryonic node; finite element analysis; ultrastructure