Format
Choose Destination
    Med Hypotheses. 2011 Sep;77(3):318-22. Epub 2011 May 26.

    Information homeostasis as a fundamental principle governing the cell division and death.

    Source

    Bernstein Centre Freiburg, and Neurobiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. arvind.kumar@biologie.uni-freiburg.de

    Abstract

    To express the genetic information with minimal error is one of the key functions of a cell. Here we propose an information theory based, phenomenological model for the expression of genetic information. Based on the model we propose the concept of 'information homeostasis' which ensures that genetic information is expressed with minimal error. We suggest that together with energy homeostasis, information homeostasis is a fundamental working principle of a biological cell. This model proposes a novel explanation of why a cell divides and why it stops to divide and, thus, provides novel insights into oncogenesis and various neuro-degenerative diseases. Moreover, the model suggests a theoretical framework to understand cell division and death, beyond specific biochemical pathways.

    Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    PMID:
    21616604
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

      Supplemental Content

      Click here to read

      Recent activity

      Your browsing activity is empty.

      Activity recording is turned off.

      Turn recording back on

      See more...
      Write to the Help Desk