Objective: The Delta-Notch signaling pathway induces the differentiation of initially homogeneous progenitor cells in many biological contexts. A mathematical modeling of this signaling pathway on Drosophila wing vein differentiation suggested the importance of synthesis rate of components of this signaling pathway. The epithelial differentiation of bile ducts in the developing liver is unique in that portal vein smooth muscle cells express extremely high amount of Delta ligands and act as a disturbance. In the present study, the importance of synthesis rate of Delta ligands and Notch receptors is mathematically examined using the model for Drosophila wing vein differentiation.
Results: The epithelial differentiation was dependent on the synthesis rate of Delta ligands and Notch receptors as far as examined. This result supports the importance of synthesis rate in Delta-Notch signaling pathway components in a disturbance-dependent context as well.