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Related Concept Videos

Cis-regulatory Sequences02:02

Cis-regulatory Sequences

Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
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Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation

The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...
Genetic Screens02:46

Genetic Screens

Genetic screens are tools used to identify genes and mutations responsible for phenotypes of interest. Genetic screens help identify individuals or a group of people at risk of developing  genetic diseases and help them with early intervention, targeted therapy, and reproductive options.
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which result in visible changes...
Cis-regulatory Sequences02:02

Cis-regulatory Sequences

Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation02:19

Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation

The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...
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Operon Model

The operon model represents a fundamental mechanism of gene regulation in prokaryotes, enabling coordinated expression of genes involved in related metabolic or functional pathways. Operons consist of structural genes, a promoter, and an operator, with transcription regulated by repressors, activators, and small effector molecules.Structure and Function of OperonsAn operon is a cluster of structural genes transcribed together under the control of a single promoter. The promoter region...

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Functional roles for noise in genetic circuits.

Avigdor Eldar1, Michael B Elowitz

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Caltech M/C 114-96, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.

Nature
|September 11, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Cellular genetic circuits experience fluctuations, or noise, which are crucial for biological functions. This noise plays essential roles in gene expression, cell differentiation, and evolution across various organisms.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Systems Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Cellular functions are regulated by genetic circuits susceptible to stochastic fluctuations, termed 'noise'.
  • Historically viewed as a nuisance, biological noise is increasingly recognized for its functional importance.
  • Noise impacts processes from microbial and eukaryotic cells to multicellular development and evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the essential roles of noise in biological systems.
  • To connect noise, gene circuit architecture, and biological functions.
  • To identify future challenges and opportunities in noise research.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on biological noise.
  • Analysis of examples demonstrating noise's functional roles.

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  • Synthesis of emerging principles linking noise, circuit architecture, and function.

    • Main Results:

    • Noise is integral to coordinating gene expression in large regulons.
    • Noise facilitates probabilistic differentiation strategies in cell populations.
    • Noise may drive evolutionary transitions over long timescales.

    Conclusions:

    • Biological noise is a fundamental feature of genetic circuits with diverse functional implications.
    • Understanding the interplay between noise, circuit architecture, and biological outcomes is critical.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the multifaceted roles of noise in biology.