source: liacs/pnbm/project/report.tex@ 27

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\title{Modeling planar signalling in AP axis development in \emph{Xenopus laevis}\\
\large{using Petri Nets in Higher Level Developmental Biology}}
\author{Rick van der Zwet, Tiago Borges Coelho \\
  \texttt{<hvdzwet@liacs.nl>,<borges.coelho@gmail.com>}\\ 
  LIACS - Leiden University, The Netherlands}
\date{\today}

\begin{document}
\maketitle
\section{Abstract}
Planar signaling is the process within the development of the AP axis
development of the \emph{Xenopus laevis} \cite{Bertens09} in which cells
accumulate proteins based on the saturation of nearby cells. If one cell
produces n amount of proteins, it will initiate a transferring cascade to cells
in the vicinity.  This dissemination of proteins will eventually cease,
considering that n is a finite variable. There is a gradation in the amount of
proteins transferred, meaning that neighbouring cells get n/2 the amount of
proteins of the most saturated cell.

We are going to model this into Petri-Nets beeing a mathematical modeling
language, which suit well for this purpose as we could nicely model the process
in graphical interactive representation and could also be used for automated
model tracking and analyze.

\section{Approach}
First a Petri-Net model will be defined textually and using graphs next the
modeling will be taking into practice using the modeling tool\emph{CPNTools}
\footnote{http://wiki.daimi.au.dk/cpntools/cpntools.wiki}.

\section{Modeling}
To model this process we will take a modular approach using coloured Petri-Nets
(see Fig~\ref{fig:model}), since the goal of this assignment is to have a
solution that can be applied to any configuration of cells. We start with a
building block that is an abstraction of a cell (figure: circle), which can then
be coupled to other cells (figure: arrows). The abstraction contains two
different types. First the proteins are modelled (figure: red), secondly the
proteins (figure: blue) are leading in a second process of the creation of
posterisation which also needs modeling. We assume a 1:1 mapping between the amount
of proteins and the posterisation -this taken into consideration- ones an
\texttt{INITIAL} protein is 'used' (e.g. has on posterisation counterpart) in
this process it
get called \texttt{ACTIVATED}. We assume that the proteins to posterisation
process is taking place at the same time as the proteins distribution. And in a
special format (figure: object B). It tries to matches the posterisation to the
same level as the proteins present. But the moment the protein level lowers,
the posterisation will remain the same. In pseudo-code:
\begin{verbatim}
if numPos < numProteins then
    numPos = numPos + 1
endif
\end{verbatim}
\texttt{numProteins} is the proteins available and \texttt{numPos} is the
posterisation present.

The connectors between the cells (the membranes) has a special properly. One
can see them as pressure valves others as siphons (see Fig~\ref{fig:pressure}).
The moment the 'volume' at complies with the following properly $A / 2 < B$
then the pressure closes, else it passes volume from A to B at an certain rate
(\texttt{flowSpeed}). This rate could depend on the difference, actual value present
or something else. Please do mind that negative values could ever appear hence
the checking whether the source is bigger or equal then the flowSpeed.

For the case there exists no standard Petri-Net 'component', hence  this require
the creation of a new property (figure: $2:1$), with the following properties:

\begin{verbatim}
flowSpeed = n
if A > 2 * B and A => flowSpeed then
  A = A - flowSpeed
  B = B + flowSpeed
else if B > 2 * A and B => flowSpeed then
  B = B - flowSpeed
  A = A + flowSpeed
endif
\end{verbatim}

Planar signaling could theoretically start in every cell, by
inserting some amount of proteins. In our model represented as a bunch of
\texttt{INITIAL} tokens being put in a random cell.

\begin{figure}[htp]
\centering
\caption{Planar signaling model}
\includegraphics[width=100mm]{planar-signaling-model.eps}
\label{fig:model}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[htp]
\centering
\caption{Pressure valve example}
\includegraphics[height=60mm]{pressure-valve.eps}
\label{fig:pressure}
\end{figure}

\section{CPNTools 'implementation'}
CPNTools has quite some shortcomings when it comes to modeling (higher level
developmental) biology.

One it the shortcoming of the 'balancing'. It does not allow reading of how
many tokens are present in a certain state and base action upon them. As
workaround for this (see Fig~\ref{fig:CPNplanar}) we used a 'dump' gradation
function. In our case it simply take 3 tokens and pushes 1 forward and
converting 2 directly to \texttt{ACTIVATED}. This does not take in
consideration if the amount get changed in 'further-up', by some external
source.

Secondly it is missing a possibility to for easy random initialisation for
modeling purposes. As a dirty quirk we 'hacked' it to choose between starting
at the head or the tail.

In this implementation the proteins to gradients  process is taking place at
cell $A$ at the same time that the proteins get transferred from cell $A$ to
$B$. 

Also it should be noted that it missing a notion of timed firing sequences;
meaning firing sequences which will occur at an certain time. This could for
example used to 'trigger' a timed activation of the \texttt{INITIAL} to
\texttt{ACTIVATED} process as modeled in fig~\ref{fig:model}. An initial idea
is shown at fig~\ref{fig:time-idea} in appendix~\ref{sec:timer-idea}.


\begin{figure}[htp]
\centering
\caption{CPNTools implementation}
\advance\leftskip-2cm
\advance\rightskip+2cm
\includegraphics[width=1.3\textwidth]{planer-signaling.eps}
\label{fig:CPNplanar}
\end{figure}

\section{Conclusion}
Using Petri-Nets for modeling biology processes is a powerful framework, which
could be well expandable. The Proof Of Concept implementations and
visualisations how-ever are lacking. \emph{CPNTools} for example does not
provide a powerful enough tool-set for the modeling purposes.

\bibliographystyle{amsalpha}
\begin{thebibliography}{10}
\bibitem[Bertens09]{Bertens09}Laura M.F. Bertens et al., Using Petri Nets in Higher
Level Developmental Biology: A case study on the AP axis development in Xenopus
laevis Extended Abstract, 2009
\end{thebibliography}
\appendix
\section{Timer Idea}
\label{sec:timer-idea}

\begin{figure}[htp]
\centering
\caption{Timed transition idea}
\includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{timer-proposal.eps}
\label{fig:time-idea}
\end{figure}
\end{document}