Nested canalyzing depth and network stability

Details Nested canalyzing depth and network stability Nested canalyzing depth and network stability

2011-11-11

arxiv.org/abs/1111.2759v1

Bull. Math. Biol. 74(2) (2012), 422-433

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Molecular Networks

13 pages, 2 figures

Scientific paper

We introduce the nested canalyzing depth of a function, which measures the extent to which it retains a nested canalyzing structure. We characterize the structure of functions with a given depth and compute the expected activities and sensitivities of the variables. This analysis quantifies how canalyzation leads to higher stability in Boolean networks. It generalizes the notion of nested canalyzing functions (NCFs), which are precisely the functions with maximum depth. NCFs have been proposed as gene regulatory network models, but their structure is frequently too restrictive and they are extremely sparse. We find that functions become decreasingly sensitive to input perturbations as the canalyzing depth increases, but exhibit rapidly diminishing returns in stability. Additionally, we show that as depth increases, the dynamics of networks using these functions quickly approach the critical regime, suggesting that real networks exhibit some degree of canalyzing depth, and that NCFs are not significantly better than functions of sufficient depth for many applications of the modeling and reverse engineering of biological networks.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Nested canalyzing depth and network stability 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 Nested canalyzing depth and network stability, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nested canalyzing depth and network stability will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-139853