Many biochemical processes in living cells involve clusters of particles. Such processes include protein aggregation and the development of intracellular concentration gradients. To study these mechanisms, we can apply coagulation-fragmentation models describing populations of interacting components. In this context, the Becker-Döring equations - theorized in 1935 - provide the simplest kinetic model to describe condensations phenomena. Experimental works on this model reveal that it exhibits robustness, defined as the system’s capability to preserve its features despite noise and fluctuations. Here, we verify the robustness of the BD model, applying our notions of initial concentration robustness (α -robustness and β -robustness), which are related to the influence of the perturbation of the initial concentration of one species (i.e., the input) on the concentration of another species (i.e., the output) at the steady state. Then, we conclude that a new definition of robustness, namely the asymptotic robustness, is necessary to describe more accurately the model’s behavior.
Analysis and Verification of Robustness Properties in Becker-Döring Model
Nasti L.;Gori R.;Milazzo P.
2022-01-01
Abstract
Many biochemical processes in living cells involve clusters of particles. Such processes include protein aggregation and the development of intracellular concentration gradients. To study these mechanisms, we can apply coagulation-fragmentation models describing populations of interacting components. In this context, the Becker-Döring equations - theorized in 1935 - provide the simplest kinetic model to describe condensations phenomena. Experimental works on this model reveal that it exhibits robustness, defined as the system’s capability to preserve its features despite noise and fluctuations. Here, we verify the robustness of the BD model, applying our notions of initial concentration robustness (α -robustness and β -robustness), which are related to the influence of the perturbation of the initial concentration of one species (i.e., the input) on the concentration of another species (i.e., the output) at the steady state. Then, we conclude that a new definition of robustness, namely the asymptotic robustness, is necessary to describe more accurately the model’s behavior.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
