Thorsten Prüstel

Computational modeling of cellular signaling processes embedded into dynamic spatial contexts

Cellular signaling processes depend on spatiotemporal distributions of molecular components. Multicolor, high-resolution microscopy permits detailed assessment of such distributions, providing input for fine-grained computational models that explore mechanisms governing dynamic assembly of multimolecular complexes and their role in shaping cellular behavior. However, it is challenging to incorporate into such models both complex molecular reaction cascades and the spatial localization of signaling components in dynamic cellular morphologies. Here we introduce an approach to address these challenges by automatically generating computational representations of complex reaction networks based on simple bimolecular interaction rules embedded into detailed, adaptive models of cellular morphology. Using examples of receptor-mediated cellular adhesion and signal-induced localized mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in yeast, we illustrate the capacity of this simulation technique to provide insights into cell biological processes. The modeling algorithms, implemented in a new version of the Simmune toolset, are accessible through intuitive graphical interfaces and programming libraries.

Exact Green's function of the reversible diffusion-influenced reaction for an isolated pair in two dimensions

We derive an exact Greens function of the diffusion equation for a pair of disk-shaped interacting particles in two dimensions subject to a backreaction boundary condition. Furthermore, we use the obtained function to calculate exact expressions for the survival probability and the time-dependent rate coefficient for the initially unbound pair and the survival probability of the bound state. The derived expressions will be of particular utility for the description of reversible membrane-bound reactions in cell biology.

Reversible diffusion-influenced reactions of an isolated pair on some two dimensional surfaces

We investigate reversible diffusion-influenced reactions of an isolated pair in two dimensions. To this end, we employ convolution relations that permit deriving the survival probability of the reversible reaction directly in terms of the survival probability of the irreversible reaction. Furthermore, we make use of the mean reaction time approximation to write the irreversible survival probability in restricted spaces as a single exponential. In this way, we obtain exact and approximative expressions in the time domain for the reversible survival probability for three different two dimensional spatial domains: The infinite plane, the annular domain, and the surface of a sphere. Our obtained results should prove useful in the context of membrane-bound reversible diffusion-influenced reactions in cell biology.

The area reactivity model of geminate recombination.

We investigate the reversible diffusion-influenced reaction of an isolated pair in the context of the area reactivity model that describes the reversible binding of a single molecule in the presence of a binding site in terms of a generalized version of the Feynman-Kac equation in two dimensions. We compute the corresponding exact Greens function in the Laplace domain for both the initially unbound and bound molecule. We discuss convolution relations that facilitate the calculation of the binding and survival probabilities. Furthermore, we calculate an exact analytical expression for the Greens function in the time domain by inverting the Laplace transform via the Bromwich contour integral and derive expressions for the binding and survival probability in the time domain as well. We numerically confirm the accuracy of the obtained expressions by propagating the generalized Feynman-Kac equation in the time domain. Our results should be useful for comparing the area reactivity model with the contact reactivity model.

Theory of reversible diffusion-influenced reactions with non-Markovian dissociation in two space dimensions

We investigate the reversible diffusion-influenced reaction of an isolated pair in the presence of a non-Markovian generalization of the backreaction boundary condition in two space dimensions. Following earlier work by Agmon and Weiss, we consider residence time probability densities that decay slower than an exponential and that are characterized by a single parameter 0 < σ ≤ 1. We calculate an exact expression for a Greens function of the two-dimensional diffusion equation subject to a non-Markovian backreaction boundary condition that is valid for arbitrary σ and for all times. We use the obtained expression to derive the survival probability for the initially unbound pair and we calculate an exact expression for the probability S(t[line]*) that the initially bound particle is unbound. Finally, we obtain an approximate solution for long times. In particular, we show that the ultimate fate of the bound state is complete dissociation, as in the Markovian case. However, the limiting value is approached quite differently: Instead of a ~t(-1) decay, we obtain 1 - S(t[line]*) ~ t(-σ)ln t. The derived expressions should be relevant for a better understanding of reversible membrane-bound reactions in cell biology.

Migrating Myeloid Cells Sense Temporal Dynamics of Chemoattractant Concentrations

SUMMARY Chemoattractant‐mediated recruitment of hematopoietic cells to sites of pathogen growth or tissue damage is critical to host defense and organ homeostasis. Chemotaxis is typically considered to rely on spatial sensing, with cells following concentration gradients as long as these are present. Utilizing a microfluidic approach, we found that stable gradients of intermediate chemokines (CCL19 and CXCL12) failed to promote persistent directional migration of dendritic cells or neutrophils. Instead, rising chemokine concentrations were needed, implying that temporal sensing mechanisms controlled prolonged responses to these ligands. This behavior was found to depend on G‐coupled receptor kinase‐mediated negative regulation of receptor signaling and contrasted with responses to an end agonist chemoattractant (C5a), for which a stable gradient led to persistent migration. These findings identify temporal sensing as a key requirement for long‐range myeloid cell migration to intermediate chemokines and provide insights into the mechanisms controlling immune cell motility in complex tissue environments. HIGHLIGHTSSpatial cues initiate cell polarization in gradients of intermediate chemokinesPersistent migration to intermediate chemokines involves temporal sensingG‐coupled receptor kinase‐dependent negative feedback prevents prolonged migrationSpatial cues are sufficient for persistent migration to end agonist attractants Eukaryotic cells are known to perform directional migration along gradients of chemoattractants. Aronin et al. discovered that, for myeloid cells, certain (intermediate) chemokines need to have increasing absolute concentration over time to induce persistent migration, indicating that these cells are capable of sensing the temporal evolution of an immunological recruitment signal.

Rate coefficients, binding probabilities, and related quantities for area reactivity models

We further develop the general theory of the area reactivity model that describes the diffusion-influenced reaction of an isolated receptor-ligand pair in terms of a generalized Feynman-Kac equation and that provides an alternative to the classical contact reactivity model. Analyzing both the irreversible and reversible reaction, we derive the equation of motion of the survival probability as well as several relationships between single pair quantities and the reactive flux at the encounter distance. Building on these relationships, we derive the equation of motion of the many-particle survival probability for irreversible pseudo-first-order reactions. Moreover, we show that the usual definition of the rate coefficient as the reactive flux is deficient in the area reactivity model. Numerical tests for our findings are provided through Brownian Dynamics simulations. We calculate exact and approximate expressions for the irreversible rate coefficient and show that this quantity behaves differently from its classical counterpart. Furthermore, we derive approximate expressions for the binding probability as well as the average lifetime of the bound state and discuss on- and off-rates in this context. Throughout our approach, we point out similarities and differences between the area reactivity model and its classical counterpart, the contact reactivity model. The presented analysis and obtained results provide a theoretical framework that will facilitate the comparison of experiment and model predictions.