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Stochastic coherence in an oscillatory gene circuit model.
Robert C Hilborn1, Jessie D Erwin
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0111, USA. rhilborn@utdallas.edu
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|May 6, 2008
Summary
Gene circuits exhibit stochastic coherence, where noise amplitude optimizes oscillation regularity. This phenomenon, observed in molecular reaction models, highlights limitations in simplified gene circuit models.
Area of Science:
- Systems biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemical dynamics
Background:
- Gene circuits are fundamental to cellular function.
- Stochasticity plays a crucial role in molecular systems.
- Understanding noise effects in gene regulation is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate noise-induced oscillations in a gene circuit model.
- To identify and characterize stochastic coherence in gene expression dynamics.
- To compare different modeling approaches for gene circuit behavior.
Main Methods:
- Development of a stochastic molecular reaction model for a gene circuit.
- Analysis of oscillation regularity as a function of noise amplitude.
- Comparison with a rate equation model and reduced models.
- Examination of system-size effects.
Main Results:
- Gene circuit models demonstrate stochastic coherence, a peak in oscillation regularity with increasing noise.
- This effect is observable in stochastic molecular simulations but not always in simplified models.
- Reduced models neglecting fast reactions fail to capture the full stochastic dynamics.
- Stochastic coherence occurs under potentially physiologically relevant conditions.
Conclusions:
- Stochastic coherence is a key feature of noise-driven gene circuit dynamics.
- Accurate modeling of gene circuits requires consideration of stochastic molecular reactions.
- Simplified models may miss important emergent behaviors like stochastic coherence.
- The findings have implications for understanding biological noise in cellular processes.
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