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UCL researchers unveil new discoveries in the emergence and control of collective behaviour
14 February 2025
UCL researchers have discovered how rhythmic cAMP signals orchestrate collective behaviour in cells, shedding light on cellular communication and its implications for complex biological systems.
Collective behaviour, where thousands of individuals suddenly become synchronised in their behaviour, is a wonder to behold. It can be commonly seen in the early evening night skies when murmurations of starlings perform their aerial dance or sychronised twists and turns of schools of fish. The authors of a recent study published in Developmental Cell investigated how populations of cells of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum use oscillatory signals to communicate and coordinate collective behaviour. These findings could have significant implications for our understanding of the control of cell and tissue function during embryonic development and disease.
The authors found that cells use rhythmic signals, to communicate and control collective behaviour and development. The signals act like a periodic drum that can be used to entrain other individuals to the beat. This discovery centres around a molecule called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which acts as a rhythmically produced messenger to orchestrate complex cell activities.
The research team observed that before cells start synchronized collective oscillations, there is a period of random cAMP signalling. This random signalling isn't just noise; it actually primes the cells for collective behaviour. They identified a key player in this process—a transcription factor named Hbx5. This factor responds to random pulses of cAMP signals by amplifying the signal to help entrain other cells. Hbx5-dependent feedback boosts signal sensitivity and cell-to-cell communication. This study also suggests that changes in the amplitude of cAMP oscillations regulate the timing and coordination of processes critical for temporal changes in behaviour. This intricate dance of cellular communication and coordination opens up new avenues for understanding how complex biological systems function and develop.
Links
Research article in Developmental Cell
Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment