Point-cycle bistability and stochasticity in a regulatory circuit for Bacillus subtilis competence

Bacillus subtilis is a very well-studied organism in biology. Recent results show that an evolutionary plausible alternative competence regulation circuit for this bacterium, despite presenting equivalent functionality, exhibits physiologically important differences. Thus, it is not a priori clear why Nature only selects a specific gene regulation circuit other than a plethora of equivalent others. Here, we use simulations to study this question further. Based on the wild-type Bacillus subtilis circuit, we add a positive autoregulation feedback loop to the intermediate gene comS. We use bifurcation theory to study the dynamical features of the hypothetical gene circuit versus the feedback strength of the added loop, and we rely on stochastic simulations to perform in silico experiments. We discover the existence of a bistable system: a stable limit cycle and a stable fixed point separated by an unstable limit cycle with a varying height of underlying stochastic potential. This structure is absent from the wild type. The coexistence of the unstable limit cycle with stochastic noise endows the circuit with an ability to confine, prevent or switch between its two stable attractors.