18-P001 Glypicans enhance robustness in Hedgehog gradient formation

The secreted protein Hedgehog (Hh) acts a morphogen, forming a concentration gradient and controlling cell fate decisions in various developmental stages in many animals. In recent years, there has been significant interest in the role that glypicans play in Hh gradient formation and signalling; with various experimental studies demonstrating an effect on Hh transport, Hh stability and downstream transcription factor (CI) activity. Using mathematical modelling and analysis, we investigate the effects glypicans (e.g. Dally, Dlp) have on gradient formation and target gene expression domains. The incorporation of Hhglypican complexes yields models whose behaviour matches current experimental data more accurately than previous models. Furthermore, we show that interaction with glypicans enhances the robustness of