Circadian rhythmicity by autocatalysis

PLoS Comput Biol. 2006 Jul 28;2(7):e96. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0020096. Epub 2006 Jun 8.

Abstract

The temperature compensated in vitro oscillation of cyanobacterial KaiC phosphorylation, the first example of a thermodynamically closed system showing circadian rhythmicity, only involves the three Kai proteins (KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC) and ATP. In this paper, we describe a model in which the KaiA- and KaiB-assisted autocatalytic phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of KaiC are the source for circadian rhythmicity. This model, based upon autocatalysis instead of transcription-translation negative feedback, shows temperature-compensated circadian limit-cycle oscillations with KaiC phosphorylation profiles and has period lengths and rate constant values that are consistent with experimental observations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Catalysis
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cyanobacteria / physiology*
  • Feedback / physiology
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Periodicity*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Signal Transduction
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • KaiA protein, cyanobacteria
  • KaiB protein, cyanobacteria
  • KaiC protein, cyanobacteria