Abstract
Eukaryotic genes are typically regulated by multiple transcription factors in a combinatorial manner. Quantitative understanding of gene regulation is particularly relevant for oscillatory expression due to transcriptional feedback loops. For periodic gene expression, the phases are essential for physiological functions. In our project we combine bioinformatic promoter analysis, large scale experiments (expression profiles and ChIP-Seq), and kinetic modeling to explore the information transfer from activators and repressors to gene expression phases. A comparative analysis of mammalian and fungal circadian rhythms allows to elucidate general design principles of phase regulation: Enhanced amplitudes via OR funnels and generation of harmonics via AND funnels.