Stochastic noise and synchronisation during Dictyostelium aggregation make cAMP oscillations robust

Kim, J. (2007) Stochastic noise and synchronisation during Dictyostelium aggregation make cAMP oscillations robust. PLoS Computational Biology, 3(11), e218. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030218)

Abstract

Stable and robust oscillations in the concentration of adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) are observed during the aggregation phase of starvation-induced development in Dictyostelium discoideum. In this paper we use mathematical modelling together with ideas from robust control theory to identify two factors which appear to make crucial contributions to ensuring the robustness of these oscillations. Firstly, we show that stochastic fluctuations in the molecular interactions play an important role in preserving stable oscillations in the face of variations in the kinetics of the intracellular network. Secondly, we show that synchronisation of the aggregating cells through the diffusion of extracellular cAMP is a key factor in ensuring robustness of the oscillatory waves of cAMP observed in Dictyostelium cell cultures to cell-to-cell variations. A striking and quite general implication of the results is that the robustness analysis of models of oscillating biomolecular networks (circadian clocks, Ca²⁺ oscillations, etc.) can only be done reliably by using stochastic simulations, even in the case where molecular concentrations are ve

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kim, Dr Jongrae
• Authors: Kim, J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: PLoS Computational Biology
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1553-734X
• ISSN (Online): 1553-7358
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2007 Kim et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS Computational Biology 2007 3(11): e218
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher