RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Arnold tongue entrainment reveals dynamical principles of the embryonic segmentation clock
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2021.10.20.465101
DO 10.1101/2021.10.20.465101
A1 Paul Gerald Layague Sanchez
A1 Victoria Mochulska
A1 Christian Mauffette Denis
A1 Gregor Mönke
A1 Takehito Tomita
A1 Nobuko Tsuchida-Straeten
A1 Yvonne Petersen
A1 Katharina F. Sonnen
A1 Paul François
A1 Alexander Aulehla
YR 2022
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2022/04/30/2021.10.20.465101.abstract
AB Living systems exhibit an unmatched complexity, due to countless, entangled interactions across scales. Here we aim to understand a complex system, i.e. segmentation timing in mouse embryos, without a reference to these detailed interactions. To this end, we develop a coarse-grained approach, in which theory guides the experimental identification of the segmentation clock entrainment responses.We demonstrate period- and phase-locking of the segmentation clock across a wide range of entrainment parameters, including higher-order coupling. These quantifications allow to derive the phase response curve (PRC) and Arnold tongues of the segmentation clock, revealing its essential dynamical properties. Our results indicate that the somite segmentation clock has characteristics reminiscent of a highly non-linear oscillator close to an infinite period bifurcation and suggests the presence of long-term feedbacks.Combined, this coarse-grained theoretical-experimental approach reveals how we can derive simple, essential features of a highly complex dynamical system, providing precise experimental control over the pace and rhythm of the somite segmentation clock.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.