Skip to main content
Log in

Synchronization of non-linear biochemical oscillators coupled by diffusion

  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The behaviour of similar coupled non-linear oscillators of the type \(\dot x\)=f(x, y, µ \(\dot y\)=g(x, y, µ is to be investigated. The oscillators are assumed to be coupled by diffusion gradients. If some conditions on the magnitude of the diffusion coefficients are satisfied, it is proved that: 1) if the oscillators have the same period (identical value of the parameter μ) and different phases before coupling, after coupling they tend to synchronize the phases; 2) if the periods of the oscillators are not too different (in terms of the values of the parameter μ) before coupling, after coupling they tend to oscillate with the same period. It is suggested the possible role of diffusion as a synchronizing mechanism in some biological phenomena.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abraham,R., Robbin,J.: Transversal mapping and flows. New York: Benjamin 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Brauer,F.: Nonlinear differential equations with forcing terms. Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 15, 758 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton,A.C., Canham,P.B.: The behaviour of coupled biochemical oscillators as a model of contact inhibition in cellular division. J. Theor. Biol. 39, 555 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chafee,N.: The bifurcation of one or more closed orbits from an equilibrium point of an autonomous differential system. J. Differential Equations 4, 661 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chance,B., Williamson, G.: NADH Oscillations in single yeast cells. Fed. Eur. Biochem. Soc. Abstr. 948 (1968)

  • Coppel,W.A.: Stability and asymptotic behaviour of differential equations. Boston: Heath 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniels,E.W.: Cell division in the giant amoeba pelomyxa carolimensis following X-irradiation treatment with bis(β-chloroethyl)-methylamine and experimental plasmogamy (fusion). J. Exp. Zool. 120, 509 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Terra,N.: Macronuclear DNA synthesis in stentor. Regulation by a cytoplasmic initiator. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 57, 607 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Frenkel,R.: Reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide oscillations in cell-free extracts from beef heart. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 115, 112 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Glansdorff,P., Prigogine,I.: Structure stabilitè et fluctuations. Paris: Masson 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Gooch,D. van, Lester,P.: Adenine nucleotide control of heart mitochondrial oscillations. Biochem Biophys Acta 245, 17 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guttes,E., Guttes,S., Rusch,H.P.: Synchronization of mitosis by the fusion of plagmodia of physarum polycephalum. Fed. Proc. 18, 479 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guttes,E., Devi,V.R., Guttes,S.: Synchronization of mitosis in physarum polycephalum by coalescence of postmitotic and premitotic plasmodial fragments. Experientia 25, 615 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn,W.: Stability of motion. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Herschowits-Kaufman,M., Nicolis,G.: Localized spatial structures and nonlinear waves in dissipative system. J. Chem. Phys. 56, 1890 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson,R.T., Rao,P.N.: Mammalian cell fusion: Induction of premature chromosome condensation in interphase nuclei. Nature 226, 717 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kauffman,S.: Measuring a mitotic oscillator: The arc discontinuity. Lecture at the Summer School on Physics and Mathematics of the Nervous System. Trieste 1973

  • Pye,K.: Sustained biochemical oscillations in vivo and in vitro. Fed. Eur. Biochem. Soc. Abstr. 852 (1968)

  • Pye,K., Chance,B.: Sustained oscillations of reduced pyridine nucleotide in a cell-free extract of sacharomyces carlsbergensis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 55, 888 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao,P.N., Johnson,R.T.: Mammalian cell fusion: Studies on the regulation of DNA synthesis and mitosis. Nature 225, 159 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachsenmaier,W., Remy,U., Plattner-Schoebel,R.: Intiation of synchronous mitosis in physarum polycephalum. Exptl. Cell. Res. 73, 41 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Selkov,E.E.: Self-oscillations in glycolisis. Eur. J. Biochem. 4, 79 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaikin,A.N., Zhabotinsky,A.M.: Concentration wave propagation in two dimensional liquid-phase self-oscillating system. Nature 225, 535 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Torre, V. Synchronization of non-linear biochemical oscillators coupled by diffusion. Biol. Cybernetics 17, 137–144 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364162

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364162

Keywords

Navigation