Gene expression dynamics in randomly varying environments

J Math Biol. 2010 Aug;61(2):231-251. doi: 10.1007/s00285-009-0298-z. Epub 2009 Sep 16.

Abstract

A simple model of gene regulation in response to stochastically changing environmental conditions is developed and analyzed. The model consists of a differential equation driven by a continuous time 2-state Markov process. The density function of the resulting process converges to a beta distribution. We show that the moments converge to their stationary values exponentially in time. Simulations of a two-stage process where protein production depends on mRNA concentrations are also presented demonstrating that protein concentration tracks the environment whenever the rate of protein turnover is larger than the rate of environmental change. Single-celled organisms are therefore expected to have relatively high mRNA and protein turnover rates for genes that respond to environmental fluctuations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation
  • Environment*
  • Eukaryotic Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Markov Chains*
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Prokaryotic Cells / metabolism
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger