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Stochastic responses may allow genetically diverse cell populations to optimize performance with simpler signaling networks.

ABSTRACT: Two theories have emerged for the role that stochasticity plays in biological responses: first, that it degrades biological responses, so the performance of biological signaling machinery could be improved by increasing molecular copy numbers of key proteins; second, that it enhances biological performance, by enabling diversification of population-level responses. Using T cell biology as an example, we demonstrate that these roles for stochastic responses are not sufficient to understand experimental observations of stochastic response in complex biological systems that utilize environmental and genetic diversity to make cooperative responses. We propose a new role for stochastic responses in biology: they enable populations to make complex responses with simpler biochemical signaling machinery than would be required in the absence of stochasticity. Thus, the evolution of stochastic responses may be linked to the evolvability of different signaling machineries.

SUBMITTER: Govern CC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3737226 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Stochastic responses may allow genetically diverse cell populations to optimize performance with simpler signaling networks.

Govern Christopher C CC Chakraborty Arup K AK

PloS one 20130807 8

Two theories have emerged for the role that stochasticity plays in biological responses: first, that it degrades biological responses, so the performance of biological signaling machinery could be improved by increasing molecular copy numbers of key proteins; second, that it enhances biological performance, by enabling diversification of population-level responses. Using T cell biology as an example, we demonstrate that these roles for stochastic responses are not sufficient to understand experi ...[more]

PMID: 23950860

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Stochastic responses may allow genetically diverse cell populations to optimize performance with simpler signaling networks.

Publications

Stochastic responses may allow genetically diverse cell populations to optimize performance with simpler signaling networks.

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