Initiation of the primitive streak in avian embryos provides a well-studied
example of a pattern-forming event that displays a striking capacity for r
egulation. The mechanisms underlying the regulative properties are, however
, poorly understood and are not easily accounted for by traditional models
of pattern formation, such as reaction-diffusion models. In this paper, we
propose a new activator-inhibitor mode] for streak initiation. We show that
the model is consistent with experimental observations, both in its patter
n-forming properties and in its ability to form these patterns on the corre
ct time-scales for biologically realistic parameter values. A key component
of the model is a travelling wave of inhibition. We present a mathematical
analysis of the speed of such waves in both diffusive and juxtacrine relay
systems. We use the streak initiation model to make testable predictions.
By varying parameters of the model, two very different types of patterning
can be obtained, suggesting that our model may be applicable to other proce
sses in addition to streak initiation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.