Dynamical Properties of a Two-gene Network with Hysteresis

Abstract

A mathematical model for a two-gene regulatory network is derived and several of their properties analyzed. Due to the presence of mixed continuous/discrete dynamics and hysteresis, we employ a hybrid systems model to capture the dynamics of the system. The proposed model incorporates binary hysteresis with different thresholds capturing the interaction between the genes. We analyze properties of the solutions and asymptotic stability of equilibria in the system as a function of its parameters. Our analysis reveals the presence of limit cycles for a certain range of parameters, behavior that is associated with hysteresis. The set of points defining the limit cycle is characterized and its asymptotic stability properties are studied. Furthermore, the stability property of the limit cycle is robust to small perturbations. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the results.