Abstract
The mechanisms and design principles of regulatory systems establishing stable polarized protein patterns within cells are well studied. However, cells can also dynamically control their cell polarity. Here, we ask how an upstream signaling system can switch the orientation of a polarized pattern. We use a mathematical model of a core polarity system based on three proteins as the basis to study different mechanisms of signal-induced polarity switching. The analysis of this model reveals four general classes of switching mechanisms with qualitatively distinct behaviors: the transient oscillator switch, the reset switch, the prime-release switch, and the push switch. Each of these regulatory mechanisms effectively implements the function of a spatial toggle switch, however with different characteristics in their nonlinear and stochastic dynamics. We identify these characteristics and also discuss experimental signatures of each type of switching mechanism.
Highlights
Cell polarity is manifested in molecular and morphological asymmetries of the cell
Cell polarity is key to processes such as cell growth, division, differentiation, and motility
We describe experimental signatures permitting their identification in natural systems
Summary
Cell polarity is manifested in molecular and morphological asymmetries of the cell. The Transregio 174 ‘‘Spatiotemporal dynamics of bacterial cells’’ (to L.S.-A. and U.G.) and within the framework of the Grauduate school for Quantitative Biosciences Munich (QBM) (to M.W.), by the Volkswagen Foundation (to U.G.), by the Max Planck Society (to L.S.-A.), and by the Joachim Herz Foundation (to M.W.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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