Information capacity of genetic regulatory elements

Details Information capacity of genetic regulatory elements Information capacity of genetic regulatory elements

2007-09-26

arxiv.org/abs/0709.4209v1

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Molecular Networks

17 pages, 9 figures

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevE.78.011910

Changes in a cell's external or internal conditions are usually reflected in the concentrations of the relevant transcription factors. These proteins in turn modulate the expression levels of the genes under their control and sometimes need to perform non-trivial computations that integrate several inputs and affect multiple genes. At the same time, the activities of the regulated genes would fluctuate even if the inputs were held fixed, as a consequence of the intrinsic noise in the system, and such noise must fundamentally limit the reliability of any genetic computation. Here we use information theory to formalize the notion of information transmission in simple genetic regulatory elements in the presence of physically realistic noise sources. The dependence of this "channel capacity" on noise parameters, cooperativity and cost of making signaling molecules is explored systematically. We find that, at least in principle, capacities higher than one bit should be achievable and that consequently genetic regulation is not limited the use of binary, or "on-off", components.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Information capacity of genetic regulatory elements does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Information capacity of genetic regulatory elements, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Information capacity of genetic regulatory elements will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-695120