title: Boolean networks with veto functions.
abstract: Boolean networks are discrete dynamical systems for modeling regulation and signaling in living cells. We investigate a particular class of Boolean functions with inhibiting inputs exerting a veto (forced zero) on the output. We give analytical expressions for the sensitivity of these functions and provide evidence for their role in natural systems. In an intracellular signal transduction network [Helikar et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105, 1913 (2008)], the functions with veto are over-represented by a factor exceeding the over-representation of threshold functions and canalyzing functions in the same system. In Boolean networks for control of the yeast cell cycle [Li et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101, 4781 (2004); Davidich et al., PLoS ONE 3, e1672 (2008)], no or minimal changes to the wiring diagrams are necessary to formulate their dynamics in terms of the veto functions introduced here.
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics, Institute for Computer Science, Leipzig University, Härtelstrasse 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Haleh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ebadi
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics, Institute for Computer Science, Leipzig University, Härtelstrasse 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany and Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 29, 1090 Vienna, Austria and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria and School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Avenue 53, 010000 Astana, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klemm
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology