title: General theory of cell regulation.
abstract: A general theory of cell regulation has been based on a previously described concept that both DNA chains of the chromatin may be expressed, and the protein products of this type of gene expression are also complementary to each other and can specifically interact with each other and with the nucleic acids which serve the code for them. The regulation of biological processes is directed by these specifically interacting molecules which are organized in Elementary Regulatory Units (ERU). The biological information in ERUs is persisting reversibly transformable (on the basis of protein and nucleic acid complementarity), buffered, and complementary information is in balance with each other. The information transfer by macromolecules in the ERUs follows the law of mass action. Biologically active "small" molecules (nucleotide phosphates, steroids, iodothyronins) interact with the ERUs and influence their steady states. The contact inhibition of the cells and the cooperative regulation of different cells and cell functions have been explained on the basis of the theoretically explained properties of the ERUs.
mesh_terms: D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA