Elsevier

Advances in Enzyme Regulation

Volume 3, 1965, Pages 425-428, IN1-IN2, 429-430, IN3-IN6, 431-437
Advances in Enzyme Regulation

Oscillatory behavior in enzymatic control processes

https://doi.org/10.1016/0065-2571(65)90067-1Get rights and content

Abstract

The demonstration in recent years of negative feedback control processes operating at the molecular level in cells leads naturally to a study of their dynamic properties. Since such control mechanisms are known to have an intrinsic tendency to oscillate, and since rhythmic processes constitute a prominent dynamic feature of plant and animal physiology, it is suggested that spontaneous oscillatory behavior in an organism's control processes constitutes the dynamic basis of rhythmic behavior patterns. A computer (analogue) analysis is presented of differential equations representing control of enzyme synthesis by feedback repression, and non-linear oscillations are shown to occur. Phenomena such as synchronous locking and subharmonic resonance are shown to arise from the interaction of these oscillators, and the physiological significance of such non-linear behavior is discussed. A thermodynamic-like analysis of the properties of many interacting oscillators is introduced.

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