A model for signal-relay adaptation in Dictyostelium discoideum. I. Biological processes and the model network (Q1072484)

Signal-relay adaptations in Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd) have important properties in common with sensory systems of more complex organisms, representing a very good example for systematic investigation. The paper describes the adaptation in sensory transduction for several organisms and reviews previously published quantitative models of adaptation. The authors' proposed model is based on the hypothesis that adaptation is produced by the intracellular calcium-cyclic-AMP network. Since many seemingly diverse adaptation processes also center on calcium-second- messenger networks, the results of the paper are more generally applicable. Response surfaces can also be used as a tool in a model identification procedure in which surface-fitting schemes are coupled with the investigator's intuition about the particular adapting systems. The qualitative structure of the calcium-cyclic-nucleotide network is described and discussed. The established importance of the calcium- cyclic-AMP control loops in mediating habituation in molluscan and vertebrate neural systems suggests that the presented results involving Dd are very useful in the investigation of these processes. The quantitative analysis of the proposed model and comparisons of the computational results with the experimental observations are given in the second part, see the following review, Zbl 0586.92014.