Information theoretical analysis of signaling network

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25830142
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: System genome science
• Research Institution: Kyushu University (2014-2015); The University of Tokyo (2013)
• Principal Investigator: UDA SHINSUKE 九州大学, 生体防御医学研究所, 准教授 (20599609)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: システム生物学 / シグナル伝達 / 情報理論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Robust transmission of information despite the presence of variation is a fundamental problem in cellular functions. However, the capability and characteristics of information transmission in signaling pathways remain poorly understood. We describe robustness and compensation of information transmission of signaling pathways at the cell population level. We calculated the mutual information transmitted through signaling pathways for the growth factor, which mediated gene expression. Growth factors appeared to carry only information sufficient for a binary decision. Information transmission was generally more robust than average signal intensity despite pharmacological perturbations, and compensation of information transmission occurred. Information transmission to the biological output of neurite extension appeared robust. Cells may use information entropy as information so that messages can be robustly transmitted despite variation in molecular activities among individual cells.

Free Research Field

情報科学