Speed and fate diversity tradeoff in nematode's early embryogenesis

TL;DR

This paper models early nematode embryogenesis, revealing how asymmetric cell division optimizes speed and fate diversity, with C. elegans exemplifying an efficient developmental pattern.

Contribution

It introduces a computational model linking cell volume segregation and division asymmetry to developmental speed and diversity in nematodes.

Findings

C. elegans embryo pattern is highly optimal for rapid development.

Asymmetric division strategies enhance proliferation speed.

Fate diversity correlates with division asymmetry and cell volume segregation.

Abstract

Nematode species are well-known for their invariant cell lineage pattern during development. Combining knowledge about the fate specification induced by asymmetric division and the anti-correlation between cell cycle length and cell volume in Caenorhabditis elegans, we propose a model to simulate lineage initiation by altering cell volume segregation ratio in each division, and quantify the derived pattern's performance in proliferation speed, fate diversity and space robustness. The stereotypic pattern in C. elegans embryo is found to be one of the most optimal solutions taking minimum time to achieve the cell number before gastrulation, by programming asymmetric division as a strategy.