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Published on: May 23, 2020
Extracellular noise-induced stochastic synchronization in heterogeneous quorum sensing network
Dawei Hong1, William M Saidel, Shushuang Man
1Department of Computer Science, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA. dhong@camden.rutgers.edu
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|January 24, 2007
Summary
This study models bacterial quorum sensing networks using stochastic equations. Heterogeneous noise robustly synchronizes bacterial populations, independent of initial states, highlighting network connectivity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Mathematical Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Quorum sensing synchronizes bacterial populations via cell-cell communication using autoinducers.
- Stochastic equation systems are used to model biological processes, including homogeneous quorum sensing networks.
- A general model for heterogeneous quorum sensing networks is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a general stochastic equation system for modeling heterogeneous quorum sensing networks.
- To analyze the impact of biophysical characteristics on quorum sensing synchronization.
- To understand the role of noise in bacterial population coordination.
Main Methods:
- Developed a stochastic equation system for heterogeneous quorum sensing networks.
- Incorporated Gram-negative bacterial biophysical characteristics: membrane permeability and autoinducer diffusion symmetry.
- Constructed an abstract-level solution for the stochastic equation system.
Main Results:
- Stable synchronization of quorum sensing networks is robustly induced by heterogeneous extracellular and intracellular noise.
- Synchronization is independent of the system's initial state.
- Network connectivity, driven by extracellular noise, is the primary driver of synchronization.
Conclusions:
- Heterogeneous noise environments robustly drive synchronization in bacterial quorum sensing networks.
- The model provides a general framework for analyzing quorum sensing dynamics.
- Extracellular noise plays a crucial role in establishing network connectivity and population synchronization.
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