Emergence and maintenance of functional modules in signaling pathways.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While detection and analysis of functional modules in biological systems have received great attention in recent years, we still lack a complete understanding of how such modules emerge. One theory is that systems must encounter a varying selection (i.e. environment) in order for modularity to emerge. Here, we provide an alternative and simpler explanation using a realistic model of biological signaling pathways and simulating their evolution.

Results

These evolutionary simulations start with a homogenous population of a minimal pathway containing two effectors coupled to two signals via a single receptor. This population is allowed to evolve under a constant selection pressure for mediating two separate responses. Results of these evolutionary simulations show th

SUBMITTER: Soyer OS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2228312 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature