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Science 307 (5717): 1965-1969

Copyright © 2005 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Noise Propagation in Gene Networks

Juan M. Pedraza, and Alexander van Oudenaarden*

Abstract: Accurately predicting noise propagation in gene networks is crucial for understanding signal fidelity in natural networks and designing noise-tolerant gene circuits. To quantify how noise propagates through gene networks, we measured expression correlations between genes in single cells. We found that noise in a gene was determined by its intrinsic fluctuations, transmitted noise from upstream genes, and global noise affecting all genes. A model was developed that explains the complex behavior exhibited by the correlations and reveals the dominant noise sources. The model successfully predicts the correlations as the network is systematically perturbed. This approach provides a step toward understanding and manipulating noise propagation in more complex gene networks.

Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed: E-mail: avano{at}mit.edu

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