Control of mitosis by a continuous biochemical oscillation: Synchronization; spatially inhomogeneous oscillations

SummaryAssuming continuous biochemical control of the mitotic cycle in the acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum the authors model the results of phase synchronization experiments using a hypothetical chemical oscillator confined to two boxes coupled by diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. The oscillator chosen, which corresponds closely to a division protein or mitogen model proposed by others, is well defined mathematically so that detailed calculations can be performed. The modeling of phase synchronization and heat shock experiments is successful, and the system also admits inhomogeneous limit cycle oscillations which are of interest both theoretically and biologically.