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Bistable switches as integrators and actuators during cell cycle progression
Author(s) -
Stallaert Wayne,
Kedziora Katarzyna M.,
Chao Hui Xiao,
Purvis Jeremy E.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.13628
Subject(s) - bistability , robustness (evolution) , cell cycle , macromolecular crowding , actuator , cell cycle progression , computer science , integrator , flexibility (engineering) , neuroscience , biological system , cell , physics , biology , optoelectronics , genetics , mathematics , telecommunications , statistics , bandwidth (computing) , artificial intelligence , gene , macromolecule
Progression through the cell cycle is driven by bistable switches—specialized molecular circuits that govern transitions from one cellular state to another. Although the mechanics of bistable switches are relatively well understood, it is less clear how cells integrate multiple sources of molecular information to engage these switches. Here, we describe how bistable switches act as hubs of information processing and examine how variability, competition, and inheritance of molecular signals determine the timing of the Rb‐E2F bistable switch that controls cell cycle entry. Bistable switches confer both robustness and plasticity to cell cycle progression, ensuring that cell cycle events are performed completely and in the correct order, while still allowing flexibility to cope with ongoing stress and changing environmental conditions.