Synchronization of a genetic oscillator with the cell division cycle

Abstract Genetic circuits that control specific cellular functions are never fully insulated against influences of other parts the cell. For example, they subject to periodic modulation by cell cycle through volume growth and gene doubling. To investigate possible effects on oscillatory dynamics, we modelled a simple synthetic genetic oscillator, repressilator, studied hallmarks resulting nonlinear dynamics. We found repressilator coupled shows typical quasiperiodic motion with discrete Fourier spectra windows in parameter space synchronization two oscillators, devil’s stair case indicating Arnold tongues synchronization. In identical parameters for three genes simultaneous duplication, identify classes windows, symmetric asymmetric, depending whether trajectories satisfy three-fold rotation symmetry, corresponding cyclic permutation genes. Unexpectedly changing doubling time revealed width is connected symmetry trajectories: non-simultaneous duplication increases asymmetric regions, some them an order magnitude. By contrast, there only small or even negative effect window size This observation points mechanism via location chromosome.