Algorithm of myogenic differentiation in higher-order organisms.
Cell fate determination is governed by complex signaling molecules at appropriate concentrations that regulate the cell decision-making process. In vertebrates, however, concentration and kinetic parameters are practically unknown, and therefore the mechanism by which these molecules interact is obscure. In myogenesis, for example, multipotent cells differentiate into skeletal muscle as a result of appropriate interplay between several signaling molecules, which is not sufficiently characterized. Here we demonstrate that treatment of biochemical events with SAT (satisfiability) formalism, which has been primarily applied for solving decision-making problems, can provide a simple conceptual tool for describing the relationship between causes and effects in biological phenomena. Specifically, we applied the Łukasiewicz logic to a diffusible protein system that leads to myogenesis. The creation of an automaton that describes the myogenesis SAT problem has led to a comprehensive overview of this non-trivial phenomenon and also to a hypothesis that was subsequently verified experimentally. This example demonstrates the power of applying Łukasiewicz logic in describing and predicting any decision-making problem in general, and developmental processes in particular.
Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 32000, Israel.
Ron
R
Piran
Einat
E
Halperin
Noga
N
Guttmann-Raviv
Ehud
E
Keinan
Ram
R
Reshef
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002642:Chick Embryo; D008128:Logic; D024510:Muscle Development; D019170:Somites / Q000378:metabolism; D000099176:Noggin Protein
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D000099176:Noggin Protein