Module-based analysis of robustness tradeoffs in the heat shock response system.

ABSTRACT: Biological systems have evolved complex regulatory mechanisms, even in situations where much simpler designs seem to be sufficient for generating nominal functionality. Using module-based analysis coupled with rigorous mathematical comparisons, we propose that in analogy to control engineering architectures, the complexity of cellular systems and the presence of hierarchical modular structures can be attributed to the necessity of achieving robustness. We employ the Escherichia coli heat shock response system, a strongly conserved cellular mechanism, as an example to explore the design principles of such modular architectures. In the heat shock response system, the sigma-factor sigma32 is a central regulator that integrates multiple feedforward and feedback modules. Each of these modules p

SUBMITTER: Kurata H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1523291 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature