Zero, one and two-switch models of gene regulation (Q1956544)

This paper compares a hierarchy of three continuous-time discrete-space stochastic models in gene regulation. The authors focus first on the noise strength and show the noise can either increase or decrease when switches are incorporated, depending on the rate constants and initial conditions. Despite this, they also find that the overall noise strength is always greater when switches are added, in the sense that one or two switches are always noisier than none. On the other hand, moving from one to two switches may either increase or decrease the noise strength. Moreover, the steady state values may not reflect the relative noise levels in the transient phase.