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A Computational Model of Divergent Pattern Formation in Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae Vulval Development

Williamson, Carly Zoe
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1460574181

Abstract Details

, Master of Mathematical Sciences, Ohio State University, Mathematics.
Cell fates in the vulval precursor cells (VPCs) of nematode worms Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and Caenorhabditis briggsae (C. briggsae) are dictated by the outcome of a signaling network that includes EGF and Notch pathways, which is initiated and regulated by external cues LIN-3 and Wnt. Under wild-type conditions, both worms exhibit the same cell fates in corresponding VPCs. However, when the EGF signaling pathway is artificially knocked down using the U0126 MEK inhibitor, C. elegans VPCs are not induced to divide to create a vulva, whereas C. briggsae VPCs continue to be induced. Previous computational models have simulated the system of EGF and Notch pathways, but have not taken into account the effect of other potential external signals upon pattern formation. We built a simplified model of coupled ordinary differential equations to reproduce experimental evidence demonstrating the effect of the extracellular signal Wnt on the system. Using asymptotic analysis, we find that increased strength of the Wnt signal relative to the EGF pathway can compensate for a knock down of the pathway, which might explain the divergent phenotypes in knock-down C. elegans and C. briggsae nematode worms. These results hold when we expand the domain to a two-dimensional array of square cells.
Adriana Dawes (Advisor)
Helen Chamberlin (Committee Co-Chair)
48 p.
Applied Mathematics; Cellular Biology; Developmental Biology; Evolution and Development; Mathematics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Williamson, C. Z. (2016). A Computational Model of Divergent Pattern Formation in Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae Vulval Development [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1460574181

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Williamson, Carly. A Computational Model of Divergent Pattern Formation in Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae Vulval Development. 2016. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1460574181.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Williamson, Carly. "A Computational Model of Divergent Pattern Formation in Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae Vulval Development." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1460574181

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1460574181
272
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.