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Functional roles for noise in genetic circuits

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Eldar, Avigdor, Elowitz, Michael B.·2010·Nature
DOI 10.1038/nature09326
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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.

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Metadata

Authors
Eldar, A., & Elowitz, M. B.
Venue
Nature
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-09
Volume
467
Issue
7312
Pages
167-173
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
DOI
10.1038/nature09326
OpenAlex
W2149242848
Cited by
1,480
References
13
FWCI
37.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
bronze
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)

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Eldar, A., & Elowitz, M. B. (2010). Functional roles for noise in genetic circuits. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09326

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