Published May 14, 2009 | Version v1
Journal article

Possible mechanisms for initiating macroscopic left-right asymmetry in developing organisms

  • 1. Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-2501 (United States)

Description

How might systematic left-right (L/R) asymmetry of the body plan originate in multicellular animals (and plants)? Somehow, the microscopic handedness of biological molecules must be brought up to macroscopic scales. Basic symmetry principles suggest that the usual 'biological' mechanisms - diffusion and gene regulation - are insufficient to implement the 'right-hand rule' defining a third body axis from the other two. Instead, on the cellular level, 'physical' mechanisms (forces and collective dynamic states) are needed involving the long stiff fibers of the cytoskeleton. I discuss some possible scenarios; only in the case of vertebrate internal organs is the answer currently known (and even that is in dispute).

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
AIP Conference Proceedings
Journal Volume
1134
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 54-62
ISSN
0094-243X
CODEN
APCPCS

Conference

Title
Landau memorial conference on advances in theoretical physics
Dates
22-26 Jun 2008
Place
Chernogolovka (Russian Federation)

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
41052600
Subject category
S60: APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
ASYMMETRY; BIOPHYSICS; DIFFUSION; GENE REGULATION; MICROTUBULES; ORGANS; PLANTS; PROTEINS; SYMMETRY; SYMMETRY BREAKING; VERTEBRATES
Descriptors DEC
ANIMALS; BODY; CELL CONSTITUENTS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PHYSICS

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2009 American Institute of Physics