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ABSTRACT: Background
A feedforward loop (FFL) is commonly observed in several biological networks. The FFL network motif has been mostly studied with respect to variation of the input signal in time, with only a few studies of FFL activity in a spatially distributed system such as morphogen-mediated tissue patterning. However, most morphogen gradients also evolve in time.Results
We studied the spatiotemporal behavior of a coherent FFL in two contexts: (a) a generic, oscillating morphogen gradient and (b) the dorsal-ventral patterning of the early Drosophila embryo by a gradient of the NF-?B homolog dorsal with its early target Twist. In both models, we found features in the dynamics of the intermediate node-phase difference and noise filtering-that were largely independent of the parameterization of the models, and thus were functions of the structure of the FFL itself. In the dorsal gradient model, we also found that proper target gene expression was not possible without including the effect of maternal pioneer factor Zelda.Conclusions
An FFL buffers fluctuation to changes in the morphogen signal ensuring stable gene expression boundaries.
SUBMITTER: Bandodkar PU
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7516927 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Bandodkar Prasad U PU Al Asafen Hadel H Reeves Gregory T GT
Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists 20200123 3
<h4>Background</h4>A feedforward loop (FFL) is commonly observed in several biological networks. The FFL network motif has been mostly studied with respect to variation of the input signal in time, with only a few studies of FFL activity in a spatially distributed system such as morphogen-mediated tissue patterning. However, most morphogen gradients also evolve in time.<h4>Results</h4>We studied the spatiotemporal behavior of a coherent FFL in two contexts: (a) a generic, oscillating morphogen g ...[more]