SCIPRESS FORMA
Forma, Vol. 7 (No. 1), pp. 27-37, 1992
Original Paper

A Model for Cellular Pattern Formation in Dictyostelium Slug

Toshio Sekimura1 and Masayasu Mimura2

1College of Engineering, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi 487, Japan
2Department of Mathematics, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 724, Japan

(Received May 31, 1991; Accepted November 1, 1991)

Keywords: Chemotactic Model, Pattern Formation, Dictyostelium, Cell Adhesion

Abstract. The cellular pattern formation of Dictyostelium slug/cell aggregates is considered from theoretical point of view. To do this, we use a mathematical model of reaction-diffusion-advection system, in which the effect of intercellular adhesion is included in addition to chemotaxis. The following results are obtained by using this model: 1) Desirable cellular patterns are not generated when either differential chemotaxis or differential cell adhesion is absent. 2) By combination of differential chemotaxis and differential cell adhesion, it is possible to reproduce cellular pattern formation of Dictyostelium slug/cell aggregates.