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Bistability in cell signaling: How to make continuous processes discontinuous, and reversible processes irreversible
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5174.
Chaos (Woodbury, N.Y.)
|June 5, 2003
Summary
Xenopus oocyte maturation exhibits all-or-none cell fate changes due to a bistable signaling system. This bistability, driven by positive feedback and ultrasensitivity, creates a biochemical memory, making maturation irreversible.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Xenopus oocyte maturation is a classic example of an irreversible, all-or-none cell fate decision.
- This process is triggered by the steroid hormone progesterone, leading to a stable mature state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review graphical methods for analyzing bistable systems.
- To discuss experimental evidence supporting bistability in Xenopus oocyte maturation.
- To propose bistability as a mechanism for all-or-none responses and biochemical memory.
Main Methods:
- Review of graphical analysis techniques for bistable systems.
- Examination of experimental data on Xenopus oocyte maturation.
- Theoretical discussion of signaling circuit organization.
Main Results:
- Bistability in the signal transduction system is hypothesized to explain the all-or-none nature and irreversibility of oocyte maturation.
- Positive feedback and ultrasensitivity are key features of the signaling circuit contributing to bistability.
- Graphical methods provide a framework for analyzing these bistable dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Bistability is a likely mechanism underlying Xenopus oocyte maturation.
- This bistable switch generates an irreversible, all-or-none cellular response.
- Bistability may be a widespread mechanism for cell fate decisions and biochemical memory in biological systems.
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