Stochastic models of gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation

ORAL

Abstract

The intrinsic stochasticity of gene expression can give rise to phenotypic heterogeneity in a population of genetically identical cells. Correspondingly, there is considerable interest in understanding how different molecular mechanisms impact the 'noise' in gene expression. Of particular interest are post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involving genes called small RNAs, which control important processes such as development and cancer. We propose and analyze general stochastic models of gene expression and derive exact analytical expressions quantifying the noise in protein distributions [1]. Focusing on specific regulatory mechanisms, we analyze a general model for post-transcriptional regulation of stochastic gene expression [2]. The results obtained provide new insights into the role of post-transcriptional regulation in controlling the noise in gene expression. \\[4pt] [1] T. Jia and R. V. Kulkarni, {\it{Phys. Rev. Lett.}},{\bf{106}}, 058102 (2011) \\[0pt] [2] T. Jia and R. V. Kulkarni, {\it{Phys. Rev. Lett.}}, {\bf{105}}, 018101 (2010)

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Authors

  • Hodjat Pendar

    Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech

  • Rahul Kulkarni

    Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Jefferson Lab, 12000 Jefferson Avenue, MS 58, Suite 17, Newport News, VA 23606, VirginiaTech, Department of Physics, University of South Alabama, New York University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Georgia College, North Georgia College \& State Univ., North Carolina Central University, TUNL, James Madison University, Physics Department, Hollins University; JQI, University of Aarhus, University of Tennessee, UNC at Asheville, The College of New Jersey, CERN, Florida Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of New Mexico, Department of Physics, Florida State University, JINR, Vanderbilt, Tsinghua University, LBNL, Vanderbilt and LBNL, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University, Tsinghua University, Vanderbilt University, LBNL, NBPHS, Vanderbilt University, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy - James Madison University, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, U. of South Alabama Dept. of Chemistry, U. of South Alabama Dept. of Physics, Ohio State University, Wright State University, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, US, Department of Nanobio Materials and Electronics, GIST, Republic of Korea, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech

  • Tao Jia

    Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University