Laboratory of Pattern Formation, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences , Osaka University , 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan.
Interface Focus. 2012 Aug 6;2(4):451-6. doi: 10.1098/rsfs.2011.0112. Epub 2012 Feb 22.
Although Turing's reaction-diffusion model (RD model) has been gradually accepted among biologists, application of the model is still limited. Accumulated experimental studies have shown that the morphogen gradient model can explain most patterning phenomena in embryogenesis. These experiments have been performed only in a few model animals. Therefore, it is not clear whether the discovered principle of the mechanism is generally applicable. The wing venation pattern of Drosophila melanogaster is largely determined by the morphogen gradient mechanism. We found that the gradient model cannot be applied to some other species. In the Hemiptera insect Orosanga japonicus, each individual has a unique pattern. Veins of O. japonicus extend radially from the proximal region and bifurcate to add the veins in the distal region. Interestingly, the bifurcation points are almost random and the vein number at the wing edge differs with wing size. However, the spacing between the veins is maintained evenly. Computer simulation of the RD model showed these properties do not fit the morphogen gradient model, but perfectly fit the RD model. This result suggests that the RD model may explain phenomena to which the morphogen gradient mechanism is currently believed to apply.
虽然图灵的反应-扩散模型（RD 模型）在生物学家中逐渐得到认可，但该模型的应用仍然有限。积累的实验研究表明，形态发生梯度模型可以解释胚胎发生中的大多数模式形成现象。这些实验仅在少数几种模型动物中进行。因此，尚不清楚所发现的机制原理是否普遍适用。果蝇的翅膀脉序模式在很大程度上由形态发生梯度机制决定。我们发现梯度模型不能应用于其他一些物种。在半翅目昆虫日本红蝽中，每个个体都有独特的模式。日本红蝽的脉从近端区域径向延伸，并分叉以增加远端区域的脉。有趣的是，分叉点几乎是随机的，并且边缘脉的脉数随翅膀大小而变化。然而，脉之间的间距保持均匀。RD 模型的计算机模拟表明，这些特性不符合形态发生梯度模型，但与 RD 模型完全吻合。这一结果表明，RD 模型可能可以解释目前认为形态发生梯度机制适用的现象。
