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Evolution under fluctuating environments explains observed robustness in metabolic networks
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Soyer, Orkun S. and Pfeiffer, Thomas (2010) Evolution under fluctuating environments explains observed robustness in metabolic networks. PLoS Computational Biology, Volume 6 (Number 8). Article no. e1000907. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000907 ISSN 1553-7358.
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WRAP_Soyer_journal.pcbi.1000907 (1).pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (586Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000907
Abstract
A high level of robustness against gene deletion is observed in many organisms. However, it is still not clear which biochemical features underline this robustness and how these are acquired during evolution. One hypothesis, specific to metabolic networks, is that robustness emerges as a byproduct of selection for biomass production in different environments. To test this hypothesis we performed evolutionary simulations of metabolic networks under stable and fluctuating environments. We find that networks evolved under the latter scenario can better tolerate single gene deletion in specific environments. Such robustness is underlined by an increased number of independent fluxes and multifunctional enzymes in the evolved networks. Observed robustness in networks evolved under fluctuating environments was ‘‘apparent,’’ in the sense that it decreased significantly as we tested effects of gene deletions under all environments
experienced during evolution. Furthermore, when we continued evolution of these networks under a stable environment, we found that any robustness they had acquired was completely lost. These findings provide evidence that evolution under fluctuating environments can account for the observed robustness in metabolic networks. Further, they suggest that organisms living under stable environments should display lower robustness in their metabolic networks, and that robustness should decrease upon switching to more stable environments.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Genetics, Genetics -- Research, Molecular biology, Evolution (Biology) | ||||
Journal or Publication Title: | PLoS Computational Biology | ||||
Publisher: | Public Library of Science | ||||
ISSN: | 1553-7358 | ||||
Official Date: | August 2010 | ||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | Volume 6 | ||||
Number: | Number 8 | ||||
Page Range: | Article no. e1000907 | ||||
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000907 | ||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 24 December 2015 | ||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 24 December 2015 | ||||
Funder: | University of Exeter, Society in Science : The Branco Weiss Fellowship (SSBWF) |
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