Turing structures in a system with regulated gap-junctions

In two coupled cells, each containing a bisubstrate-kinetics reaction system, the two substrates can cross the membranes through gap-junction protein channels (gating). Passing through the gap-junctions is controlled by one of the substrates, thus resulting in non-linear diffusion. Linear stability analysis gives the conditions, under which the symmetric fixpoint becomes unstable, leading to spatial asymmetry (Turing structures). The implications for morphogenesis are discussed.