Stochastic synchronization of circadian rhythms

Abstract

Models of circadian genetic oscillators involving interlinked feedback processes in molecular level genetic networks in Drosophila melanogaster and Neurospora crassa are studied, and mechanisms whereby synchronization can arise in an assembly of cells are examined. The individual subcellular circadian oscillatory processes are stochastic in nature due to the small numbers of molecules that are involved, and are subject to large fluctuations. The authors investigate and present the simulations of the stochastic dynamics of ensembles of clock-regulating proteins in different nuclei that communicate via ancillary small molecules, environmental parameters, additive cellular noise, or through diffusive processes. The results show that the emergence of collective oscillations is a macroscopic observable which has its origins in the microscopic coupling between distinct cellular oscillators.