A functional approach to homeostatic regulation
Abstract In this work, we present a novel modeling framework for understanding the dynamics of homeostatic regulation. Inspired by engineering control theory, this framework incorporates unique features of biological systems. First, biological variables often play physiological roles, and taking thi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Biology Direct |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13062-024-00577-9 |
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| author | Clemente F. Arias Francisco J. Acosta Federica Bertocchini Cristina Fernández-Arias |
| author_facet | Clemente F. Arias Francisco J. Acosta Federica Bertocchini Cristina Fernández-Arias |
| author_sort | Clemente F. Arias |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In this work, we present a novel modeling framework for understanding the dynamics of homeostatic regulation. Inspired by engineering control theory, this framework incorporates unique features of biological systems. First, biological variables often play physiological roles, and taking this functional context into consideration is essential to fully understand the goals and constraints of homeostatic regulation. Second, biological signals are not abstract variables, but rather material molecules that may undergo complex turnover processes of synthesis and degradation. We suggest that the particular nature of biological signals may condition the type of information they can convey, and their potential role in shaping the dynamics and the ultimate purpose of homeostatic systems. We show that the dynamic interplay between regulated variables and control signals is a key determinant of biological homeostasis, challenging the necessity and the convenience of strictly extrapolating concepts from engineering control theory in modeling the dynamics of homeostatic systems. This work provides a simple, unified framework for studying biological regulation and identifies general principles that transcend molecular details of particular homeostatic mechanisms. We show how this approach can be naturally applied to apparently different regulatory systems, contributing to a deeper understanding of homeostasis as a fundamental process in living systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ad950062c6694ab7a76cdcdcec853a67 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1745-6150 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology Direct |
| spelling | doaj-art-ad950062c6694ab7a76cdcdcec853a672025-08-20T02:31:44ZengBMCBiology Direct1745-61502024-12-0119111210.1186/s13062-024-00577-9A functional approach to homeostatic regulationClemente F. Arias0Francisco J. Acosta1Federica Bertocchini2Cristina Fernández-Arias3Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos de Madrid (GISC)Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Complutense de MadridPlasticentropyDepartamento de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de MadridAbstract In this work, we present a novel modeling framework for understanding the dynamics of homeostatic regulation. Inspired by engineering control theory, this framework incorporates unique features of biological systems. First, biological variables often play physiological roles, and taking this functional context into consideration is essential to fully understand the goals and constraints of homeostatic regulation. Second, biological signals are not abstract variables, but rather material molecules that may undergo complex turnover processes of synthesis and degradation. We suggest that the particular nature of biological signals may condition the type of information they can convey, and their potential role in shaping the dynamics and the ultimate purpose of homeostatic systems. We show that the dynamic interplay between regulated variables and control signals is a key determinant of biological homeostasis, challenging the necessity and the convenience of strictly extrapolating concepts from engineering control theory in modeling the dynamics of homeostatic systems. This work provides a simple, unified framework for studying biological regulation and identifies general principles that transcend molecular details of particular homeostatic mechanisms. We show how this approach can be naturally applied to apparently different regulatory systems, contributing to a deeper understanding of homeostasis as a fundamental process in living systems.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13062-024-00577-9HomeostasisPhysiologyMetabolismAconitaseHepcidinIntracellular iron homeostasis |
| spellingShingle | Clemente F. Arias Francisco J. Acosta Federica Bertocchini Cristina Fernández-Arias A functional approach to homeostatic regulation Biology Direct Homeostasis Physiology Metabolism Aconitase Hepcidin Intracellular iron homeostasis |
| title | A functional approach to homeostatic regulation |
| title_full | A functional approach to homeostatic regulation |
| title_fullStr | A functional approach to homeostatic regulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A functional approach to homeostatic regulation |
| title_short | A functional approach to homeostatic regulation |
| title_sort | functional approach to homeostatic regulation |
| topic | Homeostasis Physiology Metabolism Aconitase Hepcidin Intracellular iron homeostasis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13062-024-00577-9 |
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