Messenger size optimality in cellular communications

Physical review. E, vol. 111, pp. 044406

Abstract

Living cells presumably employ optimized information transfer methods, enabling efficient communication even in noisy environments. The efficiency of chemical communication between cells depends on the properties of the molecular messenger. Evidence suggests that proteins within narrow molecular mass ranges have been naturally selected to mediate cellular communication, yet the underlying communication design principles remain poorly understood. Using a simple physical model that accounts for the cost of chemical synthesis, diffusion, molecular binding, and degradation, we show that optimal masses exist to ensure efficient communication of various types of signals. Our findings provide insights into the design principles of biological communication and may inform the engineering of biomimetic systems with chemical signaling capabilities.

Authors 6

1. Arash Tirandaz corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University · Bu-Ali Sina University

   Affiliation as printed

   Bu-Ali Sina University

   Leiden University

2. Abolfazl Ramezanpour corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University · Shiraz University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   Shiraz University

3. Vivi Rottschäfer Aachen

   Leiden University · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   University of Amsterdam

4. Mehrad Babaei Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

5. Andrei Y. Zinovyev

   Institut Curie · Evotec (United States)

   Affiliation as printed

   EvoTec

   Institut Curie

6. Alireza Mashaghi Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University