Information theoretical study of cross-talk mediated signal transduction in MAPK pathways

TL;DR

This study uses information theory and stochastic modeling to analyze how cross-talk in MAPK pathways influences signal coordination, synchronization, and information flow within cellular networks.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework revealing the role of cross-talk in generating coordinated fluctuations and information propagation in MAPK pathways.

Findings

Cross-talk induces synchronized fluctuations within and across cells.

Information measures reveal directionality of signal propagation.

Identifies signal integration and bifurcation motifs due to pathway connectivity.

Abstract

Biochemical networks related to similar functional pathways are often correlated due to cross-talk among the homologous proteins in the different networks. Using a stochastic framework, we address the functional significance of the cross-talk between two pathways. Our theoretical analysis on generic MAPK pathways reveals cross-talk is responsible for developing coordinated fluctuations between the pathways. The extent of correlation evaluated in terms of the information theoretic measure provides directionality to net information propagation. Stochastic time series and scattered plot suggest that the cross-talk generates synchronization within a cell as well as in a cellular population. Depending on the number of input and output, we identify signal integration and signal bifurcation motif that arise due to inter-pathway connectivity in the composite network. Analysis using partial information decomposition quantifies the net synergy in the information propagation through these branched pathways.