Modeling Signal Transduction in D. Melanogaster Development

Abstract

Mathematical modeling has become incredibly useful in the study of signal transduction in the developmental period of Drosophila Melanogaster, the fruit fly. One such pathway is the impact of the bone morphogenetic protein Dpp on gene transcription (see figures 1 and 2), which is involved in dorsal development. In a series of reactions, a Dpp binds to a receptor, starting a reaction sequence that ends with gene transcription. We consider a situation of positive feedback, in which the product of the transcription interacts with the receptors. Through analysis of the chemical system, we have compiled a number of deterministic rate equations describing the kinetics. Currently, and in the coming weeks, we will analyze our rate equations deterministically and stochastically, to investigate the behavior of the reaction network.