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Spatial distribution of cytoskeleton-mediated feedback controls cell polarization: A computational study.
Parijat Banerjee1, Jonathan A Kuhn2, Dhiman Sankar Pal2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
Plos Computational Biology
|October 9, 2025
Summary
Computational models reveal global inhibition is a more effective mechanism for cell polarization in Dictyostelium amoeba than local inhibition. A novel dynamic partitioning mechanism may enhance local feedback efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Cell motility in Dictyostelium is controlled by a signal transduction network linked to the cytoskeleton.
- Cytoskeletal feedback loops influencing signaling are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To computationally investigate the role of feedback loops in cell polarization.
- To compare local versus global inhibition mechanisms for negative feedback.
Main Methods:
- Development and analysis of computational models.
- Contrast of local and global inhibition models.
- Statistical analysis of model outputs and comparison with experimental data.
Main Results:
- Both local and global inhibition stabilize the leading edge and prevent multipolarity.
- Global inhibition is more effective at suppressing secondary leading edges.
- Local inhibition better matches some experimental observations but has limited polarization potential.
Conclusions:
- Global inhibition is a more robust mechanism for cell polarization.
- A novel mechanism of dynamic partitioning is proposed to enhance local feedback efficiency.
- This partitioning enhances front-back communication for improved polarization.
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