Mathematical Modeling of Cell Polarity Establishment of Budding Yeast

Abstract

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful model system for studying the cell polarity establishment. The cell polarization process is regulated by signaling molecules, which are initially distributed in the cytoplasm and then recruited to a proper location on the cell membrane in response to spatial cues or spontaneously. Polarization of these signaling molecules involves complex regulation, so the mathematical models become a useful tool to investigate the mechanism behind the process. In this review, we discuss how mathematical modeling has shed light on different regulations in the cell polarization. We also propose future applications for the mathematical modeling of cell polarization and morphogenesis.