Kernel mechanism of the cyanobacterial circadian clock is a relaxation oscillator

Lan Ma, Rama Ranganathan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Circadian clock is an essential molecular regulatory mechanism that coordinates daily biological processes. Although the underlying design principles of eukaryotic circadian clock have been investigated in great detail, the circadian mechanism in cyanobacteria, the only prokaryote that possesses circadian clock, is not fully understood. In this study, we focus on elucidating the underlying systems property that drives the oscillation of the cyanobacterial clockwork. We apply combined methods of time scale separation, phase space analysis and bifurcation analysis to a model of circadian clock proposed by us recently. The original model is reduced to a three-dimensional slow subsystem by time scale separation. Phase space analysis of the reduced subsystem shows that the null-surface of the Serine-phosphorylated state (S state) of KaiC is a bistable surface and that the features of the phase portrait indicate that the kernel mechanism of the clockwork is a relaxation oscillator induced by positive and negative feedback loops. Bifurcation diagrams together with phase space analysis show that the S state of KaiC is a key component for the protein regulatory network of the cyanobacterial circadian clock.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2011 50th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control and European Control Conference, CDC-ECC 2011
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages5850-5855
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781612848006
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event2011 50th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control and European Control Conference, CDC-ECC 2011 - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: Dec 12 2011Dec 15 2011

Publication series

NameProceedings of the IEEE Conference on Decision and Control
ISSN (Print)0743-1546
ISSN (Electronic)2576-2370

Other

Other2011 50th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control and European Control Conference, CDC-ECC 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period12/12/1112/15/11

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Control and Optimization

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Kernel mechanism of the cyanobacterial circadian clock is a relaxation oscillator'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this