Interlinked Fast and Slow Positive Feedback Loops Drive Reliable Cell Decisions

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1113834
• Publication Date: 2005-10-26T07:14:17Z
• Authors: Onn Brandman; James E. Ferrell; Rong Li; Tobias Meyer
• Keywords: Positive feedback; Negative feedback; Feedback loop

Positive feedback is a ubiquitous signal transduction motif that allows systems to convert graded inputs into decisive, all-or-none outputs. Here we investigate why the positive switches regulate polarization of budding yeast, calcium signaling, Xenopus oocyte maturation, and various other processes use multiple interlinked loops rather than single loops. Mathematical simulations revealed linking fast slow creates "dual-time" switch both rapidly inducible resistant noise in upstream signaling system.