Precise domain specification in the developing Drosophila embryo

B. Houchmandzadeh, E. Wieschaus, S. Leibler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

A simple morphogen gradient based on the protein bicoid is insufficient to explain the precise (i.e., similar in all embryos) setting of anteroposterior gene expression domains in the early Drosophila embryo. We present here an alternative model, based on quantitative data, which accounts for all of our observations. The model also explains the robustness of hunchback boundary setting in unnatural environments such as published recently [Luccheta, Nature 434, 1134 (2005)]. The model is based on the existence of a secondary gradient correlated to bicoid through protein degradation by the same agent.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number061920
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
Volume72
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Mathematical Physics
  • General Medicine

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