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PMID: 20829787 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Review

Functional roles for noise in genetic circuits.

Nature ·Vol. 467 ·No. 7312 ·2010-09-09 ·Pages 167-73

Eldar A, Elowitz MB

Abstract

The genetic circuits that regulate cellular functions are subject to stochastic fluctuations, or 'noise', in the levels of their components. Noise, far from just a nuisance, has begun to be appreciated for its essential role in key cellular activities. Noise functions in both microbial and eukaryotic cells, in multicellular development, and in evolution. It enables coordination of gene expression across large regulons, as well as probabilistic differentiation strategies that function across cell populations. At the longest timescales, noise may facilitate evolutionary transitions. Here we review examples and emerging principles that connect noise, the architecture of the gene circuits in which it is present, and the biological functions it enables. We further indicate some of the important challenges and opportunities going forward.

MeSH Terms
Animals Cell Physiological Phenomena Gene Expression Regulation Gene Regulatory Networks Humans Models, Genetic
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Eldar Avigdor
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Caltech M/C 114-96, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
Elowitz Michael B
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Article Info
Journal
Nature
Abbr.
Nature
ISSN
1476-4687
DOI
10.1038/nature09326
Published
2010-09-09
Pages
167-73
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
0410462
PMCID
PMC4100692
Subset
IM
Grants
NIGMS NIH HHS · P50 GM068763 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM079771 · United States
Howard Hughes Medical Institute · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01GM079771 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/nature09326 PMC Full Text View journal details
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