Molecular circuits for associative learning in single-celled organisms

We demonstrate how a single-celled organism could undertake associative learning. Although to date only one previous study has found experimental evidence for such learning, there is no reason in principle why it should not occur. We propose a gene regulatory network that is capable of associative learning between any pre-specified set of chemical signals, in a Hebbian manner, within a single cell. A mathematical model is developed, and simulations show a clear learned response. A preliminary design for implementing this model using plasmids within Escherichia coli is presented, along with an alternative approach, based on double-phosphorylated protein kinases.

Download Full-text

Information content based model for the topological properties of the gene regulatory network of Escherichia coli

Journal of Theoretical Biology ◽

10.1016/j.jtbi.2009.11.017 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 263 (3) ◽

pp. 281-294 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Berkin Malkoç ◽

Duygu Balcan ◽

Ayşe Erzan

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Gene Regulatory Network ◽

Information Content ◽

Regulatory Network ◽

Topological Properties ◽

Gene Regulatory

Download Full-text

Construction of a Molecular Learning Network

Journal of Advanced Computational Intelligence and Intelligent Informatics ◽

10.20965/jaciii.2013.p0913 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 913-918

Author(s):

Tomohiro Shirakawa ◽

◽

Hiroshi Sato

Keyword(s):

Associative Learning ◽

Gene Regulatory Network ◽

20Th Century ◽

Network Model ◽

Regulatory Network ◽

Learning Ability ◽

Learning Network ◽

Unicellular Organisms ◽

Gene Regulatory

Learning ability in unicellular organisms has been studied since the first half of the 20th century, but there is still no clear evidence of unicellular learning. Based on results from previous associative learning experiments using thePhysarumplasmodium, a gene regulatory network model of unicellular learning was constructed. The model demonstrates that, in principle, unicellular learning can be achieved through the cooperation of several biomolecules.

Download Full-text

Modularity, criticality, and evolvability of a developmental gene regulatory network

10.1101/413211 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Berta Verd ◽

Nicholas AM Monk ◽

Johannes Jaeger

Keyword(s):

Regulatory Network ◽

Regulatory Networks ◽

Phenotypic Traits ◽

Regulatory Structure ◽

Regulatory Interactions ◽

Gap Gene ◽

Regulatory Processes ◽

Alternative Approach ◽

Gene Regulatory ◽

And Function

AbstractThe existence of discrete phenotypic traits suggests that the complex regulatory processes which produce them are functionally modular. These processes are usually represented by networks. Only modular networks can be partitioned into intelligible subcircuits able to evolve relatively independently. Traditionally, functional modularity is approximated by detection of modularity in network structure. However, the correlation between structure and function is loose. Many regulatory networks exhibit modular behaviour without structural modularity. Here we partition an experimentally tractable regulatory network—the gap gene system of dipteran insects—using an alternative approach. We show that this system, although not structurally modular, is composed of dynamical modules driving different aspects of whole-network behaviour. All these subcircuits share the same regulatory structure, but differ in components and sensitivity to regulatory interactions. Some subcircuits are in a state of criticality while others are not, which explains the observed differential evolvability of the various expression features in the system.

Download Full-text

Mathematical model of a gene regulatory network reconciles effects of genetic perturbations on hematopoietic stem cell emergence

Developmental Biology ◽

10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.04.016 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 379 (2) ◽

pp. 258-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Jatin Narula ◽

C.J. Williams ◽

Abhinav Tiwari ◽

Jonathon Marks-Bluth ◽

John E. Pimanda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Gene Regulatory Network ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Regulatory Network ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Genetic Perturbations ◽

Gene Regulatory

Download Full-text

Modularity, criticality, and evolvability of a developmental gene regulatory network

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.42832 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Berta Verd ◽

Nicholas AM Monk ◽

Johannes Jaeger

Keyword(s):

Regulatory Network ◽

Regulatory Networks ◽

Phenotypic Traits ◽

Regulatory Structure ◽

Regulatory Interactions ◽

Gap Gene ◽

Regulatory Processes ◽

Alternative Approach ◽

Gene Regulatory ◽

And Function

The existence of discrete phenotypic traits suggests that the complex regulatory processes which produce them are functionally modular. These processes are usually represented by networks. Only modular networks can be partitioned into intelligible subcircuits able to evolve relatively independently. Traditionally, functional modularity is approximated by detection of modularity in network structure. However, the correlation between structure and function is loose. Many regulatory networks exhibit modular behaviour without structural modularity. Here we partition an experimentally tractable regulatory network—the gap gene system of dipteran insects—using an alternative approach. We show that this system, although not structurally modular, is composed of dynamical modules driving different aspects of whole-network behaviour. All these subcircuits share the same regulatory structure, but differ in components and sensitivity to regulatory interactions. Some subcircuits are in a state of criticality, while others are not, which explains the observed differential evolvability of the various expression features in the system.

Download Full-text