Int. J. Dev. Biol. 64: 453 - 463 (2020)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.190342nm

Vol 64, Issue 10-11-12

Biological notion of positional information/value in morphogenesis theory

Essay | Published: 14 December 2020

Yue Wang¹, Jérémie Kropp¹ and Nadya Morozova*^,1,2,3

¹Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHÉS), Bures-sur-Yvette, ²Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette and ³Komarov Botanical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (BIN RAS), Saint Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

The notions of positional information and positional value describe the role of cell position in cell development and pattern formation. Despite their frequent usage in literature, their definitions are blurry, and are interpreted differently by different researchers. Through reflection on previous definitions and usage, and analysis of related experiments, we propose three clear and verifiable criteria for positional information/value. Then we reviewed literature on molecular mechanisms of cell development and pattern formation, to search for a possible molecular basis of positional information/value, including those used in theoretical models. We conclude that although morphogen gradients and cell-to-cell contacts are involved in the pattern formation process, complete molecular explanations of positional information/value are still far from reality.

Keywords

positional information, positional value, pattern formation, morphogen, theoretical model