TY - JOUR TI - Biological notion of positional information/value in morphogenesis theory AU - Wang, Yue AU - Kropp, Jérémie AU - Morozova, Nadya T2 - The International Journal of Developmental Biology AB - The notions of positional information and positional value describe the role of cell position in cell development and pattern formation. Despite their frequent usage in literature, their definitions are blurry, and are interpreted differently by different researchers. Through reflection on previous definitions and usage, and analysis of related experiments, we propose three clear and verifiable criteria for positional information/value. Then we reviewed literature on molecular mechanisms of cell development and pattern formation, to search for a possible molecular basis of positional information/value, including those used in theoretical models. We conclude that although morphogen gradients and cell-to-cell contacts are involved in the pattern formation process, complete molecular explanations of positional information/value are still far from reality. PY - 2020 DO - 10.1387/ijdb.190342nm VL - 64 IS - 10-11-12 SP - 453 EP - 463 J2 - Int. J. Dev. Biol. LA - en SN - 0214-6282 SN - 1696-3547 UR - https://ijdb.ehu.eus/article/190342nm Y2 - 2024/11/21/19:13:32 ER -