Oscillation (cell signaling)

For oscillations in the nervous system, see Neural oscillation.

Oscillations are an important type of cell signaling characterized by the periodic change of the system in time.[1] Oscillations can take place in a biological system in a multitude of ways. Positive feedback loops, on their own or in combination with negative feedback are a common feature of oscillating biological systems.[2]

Examples

Genetic oscillation

One of the most common forms of biological oscillation is genetic oscillation, which can take place when a transcription factor binds and represses its own promoter. This type of regulatory system is able to successfully describe the NFkB-IkB and p53-Mdm52 biological oscillating systems.[1]

Relaxation oscillations

Relaxation oscillation takes place in the context of a bi-stable system. It is characterized by the periodic switching between two stable states.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Kruse & Jülicher. Oscillations in Biology. 2005
  2. 1 2 Kholodenko. Cell-signaling dynamics in time and space. 2006
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, March 29, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.