The Conservation of Average Entropy Production Rate in a Model of Signal Transduction: Information Thermodynamics Based on the Fluctuation Theorem

Abstract

Cell signal transduction is a non-equilibrium process characterized by the reaction cascade. This study aims to quantify and compare signal transduction cascades using a model of signal transduction. The signal duration was found to be linked to step-by-step transition probability, which was determined using information theory. By applying the fluctuation theorem for reversible signal steps, the transition probability was described using the average entropy production rate. Specifically, when the signal event number during the cascade was maximized, the average entropy production rate was found to be conserved during the entire cascade. This approach provides a quantitative means of analyzing signal transduction and identifies an effective cascade for a signaling network.

Entropy in Cell Biology: Information Thermodynamics of a Binary Code and Szilard Engine Chain Model of Signal Transduction

“…Finally, a pre-stimulation steady state of the individual step is recovered. Such reaction chain schemes were previously described by Gaspard et al and Tsuruyama [17,18,[28][29][30].…”

“…Recent studies showed that the BRC can be interpreted as a binary code system with two forms of signalling molecules, namely an active form (X j *) and an inactive form (X j ) in individual step [18][19][20]. The total signal event number Ψ in a given BRC event, can be described using the concentration of inactive X j and active molecules X j * as follows:…”

“…Therefore, the entropy difference H j is generated between the j th and (j + 1) th step is presented as follows [17][18][19]:…”

“…From the viewpoint of information thermodynamics, the signal transduction in Escherichia coli was reported [16]. Our earlier works considered a probability that the mutual entropy may be utilised for exchanging signalling molecules along the biological reaction cascade (BRC) [17][18][19][20]. This review later particularly introduces an ideal chain of Szilard engine constituting the BRC model [17].…”

Information Thermodynamics of Cell Signal Transduction

“…Meanwhile, considering specific reaction kinetics and thermodynamic analysis in individual reactions, there have been few studies discussing signal transduction, for example, limited to chemotaxis models of Escherichia coli [7], and several theoretical researches about mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and bistability or ultra-sensitivity and feedback controllability of the cascade have been reported [8][9][10][11][12][13]. In addition, information thermodynamics of MAPK cascade has been recently reported [14][15][16]. This article reviews these recent studies from information thermodynamics in relation to fluctuation theorem.…”