Input Noise in Gene Regulation
2008

The Role of Input Noise in Gene Regulation

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tkačik Gašper, Gregor Thomas, Bialek William

Primary Institution: Princeton University

Hypothesis

How does input noise affect transcriptional regulation?

Conclusion

Input noise significantly influences the reliability of gene expression, particularly in the early Drosophila embryo.

Supporting Evidence

  • Gene expression levels fluctuate even under constant external conditions.
  • Input noise has a clear signature that peaks at intermediate transcription factor concentrations.
  • Recent experiments on Drosophila embryos support the predicted signatures of input noise.

Takeaway

Sometimes, the noise in how genes are turned on and off can make it hard for cells to know what to do. This study looks at how that noise happens and what it means for how genes work.

Methodology

The study analyzes the effects of random arrival times and binding of transcription factors on gene expression noise.

Limitations

The analysis may be obscured by experimental limitations and conventional data plotting methods.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0002774

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