Symmetry breaking meets multisite modification
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Ramesh, Vaidhiswaran
Krishnan, Jawahar
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Multisite modification is a basic way of conferring functionality to proteins, and a key component of post-translational modification networks. Additional interest in multisite modification stems from its capability of acting as complex information processors. In this paper we connect two seemingly disparate themes: symmetry and multisite modification. We examine different classes of random modification networks of substrates involving separate or common enzymes. We demonstrate that under different instances of symmetry of the modification network (invoked explicitly or implicitly and discussed in the literature), the biochemistry of multisite modification can lead to the symmetry being broken. This is shown computationally and consolidated analytically, revealing parameter regions where this can (and in fact does) happen, and characteristics of the symmetry broken state. We discuss the relevance of these results in situations where exact symmetry is not present. Overall, through our study we show how symmetry breaking (i) can confer new capabilities to protein networks, including concentration robustness of different combinations of species (in conjunction with multiple steady states) (ii) could have been the basis for ordering of multisite modification, which is widely observed in cells (iii) can significantly impact information processing in multisite modification and in cell signalling networks/pathways where multisite modification is present (iv) can be a fruitful new angle for engineering in synthetic biology and chemistry. All in all, the emerging conceptual synthesis provides a new vantage point for the elucidation and the engineering of molecular systems at the junction of chemical and biological systems.
Date Issued
2021-05-21
Date Acceptance
2021-05-20
Citation
eLife, 2021, 10, pp.1-57
ISSN
2050-084X
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
Start Page
1
End Page
57
Journal / Book Title
eLife
Volume
10
Copyright Statement
© 2021, Ramesh & Krishnan. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License permitting unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.
License URL
Identifier
https://elifesciences.org/articles/65358
Subjects
none
physics of living systems
0601 Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e65358
Date Publish Online
2021-05-21