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Surface aggregation patterns of LDL receptors near coated pits. I. The radially convective diffusion and generalized
E Solana-Arellano1, H Echaverría-Heras, C Leal-Ramírez
1Modelling and Theoretical Analysis Research Group, Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada, BC, México. esolana@cicese.mx
Abstract:
In this paper we formulate a mathematical model for the receptor mediated endocytotic cycle under the influence of diffusion, radial convection, and generalized receptor reinsertion. The steady state radial concentration function of unbound receptors admits an explicit representation. This can be expressed as a functional of the insertion rate, the diffusion coefficient, and the flow strength. Using the referred functional we study the influence of the aforementioned mechanisms on the surface aggregation pattern of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors near coated pits. We perform that analysis on both a theoretical level and by means of simulated receptor aggregation patterns obtained by computer graphics techniques. We conclude that radially convective diffusion in combination with suitable characterizations of the insertion mode are consistent with reported cell surface aggregation patterns.