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Figure 3 | BMC Systems Biology

Figure 3

From: Simulation-based model checking approach to cell fate specification during Caenorhabditis elegans vulval development by hybrid functional Petri net with extension

Figure 3

Schematic representations of VPC fate specification in wild-type hermaphrodites. (a) The anchor cell produces a graded inductive signal and causes six equivalent cells to adopt fates in a precise pattern. (b) The sublineage is generated according to each specified cell fate. The sublineage is a determined pattern of cell divisions which produces a characteristic set of progeny cell types. Sternberg and Horvitz have defined vulval cell types (after two rounds of VPC divisions) by two criteria as follows: the axis of the third round nuclear divisions (L, longitudinal axis; T, transverse axis; N, no division; S is to join the large hypodermal syncytium (hyp7)), and adherence to the ventral cuticle [32].

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