Pattern formation by local self-activation and lateral inhibition.

摘要: Summary In 1972, we proposed a theory of biological pattern formation in which concentration maxima forming substances are generated through local selfenhancement conjunction with long range inhibition. Since then, much evidence various developmental systems has confirmed the importance autocatalytic feedback loops combined inhibitory interaction. Examples found embryonal organizing regions, segmentation, polarization individual cells, and gene activation. By computer simulations, have shown that accounts for regulatory phenomena observed, including signalling to regenerate removed parts. These selfregulatory features contribute making development robust error-tolerant. Furthermore, resulting is, large extent, independent details provided by initial conditions inducing signals. BioEssays 22:753‐760, 2000. fl 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.