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Mechanochemical symmetry breaking in Hydra aggregates
Moritz Mercker1, Alexandra Köthe2, Anna Marciniak-Czochra1
1Institute of Applied Mathematics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Biophysical Journal
|May 9, 2015
Summary
This study models Hydra polyp symmetry breaking, revealing how chemical signals and tissue mechanics interact. The findings suggest feedback loops are key to understanding tissue pattern formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
- Mathematical Biology
Background:
- Tissue morphogenesis involves self-organized pattern and shape generation.
- Chemical morphogen gradients and mechanical forces are increasingly recognized as coupled factors in development.
- The precise mechanisms of axis definition and symmetry breaking in simple multicellular organisms remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and test a minimal computational model for the axis-defining symmetry breaking step in Hydra polyp aggregates.
- To investigate the interplay between osmotically driven shape oscillations, tissue mechanics, and morphogen dynamics.
- To compare different theoretical models of morphogen patterning in the context of Hydra morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Development of a minimal mathematical model integrating osmotically driven shape oscillations, tissue mechanics, and morphogen dynamics.
- Incorporation of a feedback loop between morphogen patterning and tissue mechanical stretch.
- Simulation and analysis of the model to reproduce experimental observations and compare patterning mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The model successfully reproduces a range of experimental data on Hydra axis formation.
- A simple feedback loop between morphogen distribution and tissue stretch is sufficient to explain key aspects of symmetry breaking.
- Comparison of theoretical models suggests specific avenues for future experimental validation.
Conclusions:
- Mechanochemical feedback loops are crucial for symmetry breaking and axis definition in Hydra.
- The developed model provides a framework for understanding how physical forces and chemical signals coordinate tissue morphogenesis.
- Future experimental studies on larger Hydra aggregates are recommended to further elucidate mechanochemical symmetry breaking.
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