Parametric modeling of mechanical effects on circadian oscillators

TL;DR

This paper extends a biochemical model of circadian rhythms to include mechanical effects, revealing how mechanical signals influence oscillations and identifying optimal ranges for these effects to sustain rhythmicity.

Contribution

It introduces a parametric model incorporating mechanical influences on circadian oscillators, supported by experimental data and bifurcation analysis.

Findings

Mechanical signals affect circadian oscillations.

Oscillations require mechanical signals within an optimal range.

Model predicts conditions for sustained rhythmicity.

Abstract

Circadian rhythms are archetypical examples of nonlinear oscillations. While these oscillations are usually attributed to circuits of biochemical interactions among clock genes and proteins, recent experimental studies reveal that they are also affected by the cell's mechanical environment. Here we extend a standard biochemical model of circadian rhythmicity to include mechanical effects in a parametric manner. Using experimental observations to constrain the model, we suggest specific ways in which the mechanical signal might affect the clock. Additionally, a bifurcation analysis of the system predicts that these mechanical signals need to be within an optimal range for circadian oscillations to occur.