Crosstalk and the cooperation of collectively autocatalytic reaction networks

Abstract

We examine a potential role of signalling crosstalk in Artificial Cell Signalling Networks (ACSNs). In this research, we regard these ACSNs as subsets of collectively autocatalytic (i.e., organizationally closed) reaction networks being able to both self-maintain and to carry out a distinct signal processing function. These signalling crosstalk phenomena occur naturally when different biochemical networks become mixed together where a given molecular species may contribute simultaneously to multiple ACSNs. It has been reported in the biological literature, that crosstalk may have effects that are both constructive (e.g., coordinating cellular activities, multi-tasking) and destructive (e.g., premature programmed cell death). In this paper we demonstrate how crosstalk may enable distinct closed ACSNs to cooperate with other. From a theoretical point of view, this work may give new insights for the understanding of crosstalk in natural biochemical networks. From a practical point view, this investigation may provide novel applications of crosstalk in engineered ACSNs.