Rate constants rather than biochemical mechanism determine behaviour of genetic clocks

J R Soc Interface. 2008 Aug 6;5 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S9-15. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2008.0046.focus.

Abstract

Many biological systems contain both positive and negative feedbacks. These are often classified as resonators or integrators. Resonators respond preferentially to oscillating signals of a particular frequency. Integrators, on the other hand, accumulate a response to signals. Computational neuroscientists often refer to neurons showing integrator properties as type I neurons and those showing resonator properties as type II neurons. Guantes & Poyatos have shown that type I or type II behaviour can be seen in genetic clocks. They argue that when negative feedback occurs through transcription regulation and post-translationally, genetic clocks act as integrators and resonators, respectively. Here we show that either behaviour can be seen with either design and in a wide range of genetic clocks. This highlights the importance of parameters rather than biochemical mechanism in determining the system behaviour.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks / genetics*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Models, Neurological