The flux-summation theorem and the 'evolution of dominance'

Journal of Theoretical Biology
Paul S Agutter

Abstract

The flux-summation theorem (FST) is a central principle of metabolic control analysis. It describes how the control of flux through any metabolic pathway of arbitrary complexity is distributed among the component reaction steps. Two issues concerning the FST are discussed in this paper. First, it has been suggested that the theorem could, in principle, be inapplicable under certain conditions, i.e. the sum of the control coefficients of all the enzymes supporting a pathway could exceed unity. Such conditions have not been found in any species so far studied, so in practice the FST is always applicable. I argue that applicability of the FST is a precondition for phenotypic robustness and therefore for survival. Second, the FST provides a basis for explaining dominance that renders Fisher's 'modifier genes' hypothesis otiose. Some recent misunderstandings of metabolic control analysis have led to the claim that this explanation is flawed and therefore that Fisher's hypothesis can and should be reinstated. Here, these suggestions are refuted.

References

Dec 15, 1991·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·H A Orr
Nov 1, 1989·Diabetes/metabolism Reviews·S S Fajans
Nov 21, 1988·Journal of Theoretical Biology·C Reder
Apr 7, 1987·Journal of Theoretical Biology·A Cornish-Bowden
Jan 1, 1969·Annual Review of Microbiology·D E Atkinson
Jan 1, 1971·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S A Newman, S A Rice
Mar 1, 1969·Journal of Theoretical Biology·S A Kauffman
Jan 1, 1983·Biochemical Society Transactions·H Kacser
Oct 7, 1996·Journal of Theoretical Biology·J P MazatT Letellier
Aug 14, 1999·Heredity·D Bourguet
Nov 28, 2002·Journal of Theoretical Biology·Reiner A Veitia
Jun 6, 2003·Mathematical Biosciences·Homayoun Bagheri-ChaichianGünter P Wagner
Sep 2, 2004·Theoretical Biology & Medical Modelling·John W Porteous
Dec 8, 2004·Genetics·Homayoun C Bagheri, Günter P Wagner
Feb 26, 2005·Bioinformatics·Bor-Sen ChenWen-Hsiung Li
Mar 1, 2005·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Stephen C Stearns
Sep 21, 2006·Systems Biology·J KimP A Iglesias

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.