A Wnt oscillator model for somitogenesis
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
We propose a model for the segmentation clock in vertebrate somitogenesis, based on the Wnt signaling pathway. The core of the model is a negative feedback loop centered around the Axin2 protein. Axin2 is activated by beta-catenin, which in turn is degraded by a complex of GSK3beta and Axin2. The model produces oscillatory states of the involved constituents with typical time periods of a few hours (ultradian oscillations). The oscillations are robust to changes in parameter values and are often spiky, where low concentration values of beta-catenin are interrupted by sharp peaks. Necessary for the oscillations is the saturated degradation of Axin2. Somite formation in chick and mouse embryos is controlled by a spatial Wnt gradient which we introduce in the model through a time-dependent decrease in Wnt3a ligand level. We find that the oscillations disappear as the ligand concentration decreases, in agreement with observations on embryos.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Biophysical Journal |
Volume | 98 |
Issue number | 6 |
Pages (from-to) | 943-950 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0006-3495 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 Mar 2010 |
- Animals, Biological Clocks, Computer Simulation, Embryonic Development, Humans, Models, Biological, Somites, Wnt Proteins
Research areas
ID: 32671790