合成基因回路面临的细胞“经济学窘境”

田晓军; 张日新

doi:10.12211/2096-8280.2024-083

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合成基因回路面临的细胞“经济学窘境”

特约评述 | 更新时间：2025-07-07

- 合成基因回路面临的细胞“经济学窘境”
- “Economics Paradox” with cells in synthetic gene circuits
- 合成生物学 2025年6卷第3期页码：532-546
- 作者机构：
  
  亚利桑那州立大学生物与健康系统工程学院，美国亚利桑那州坦佩 85281
- 作者简介：
  
  [ "田晓军（1984—），男，博士生导师。研究方向为定量生物学、系统生物学、合成生物学，目前研究是优化人工合成基因回路设计及其应用。E-mail：Xiaojun.Tian@asu.edu" ]
- 基金信息：
- DOI：10.12211/2096-8280.2024-083
  中图分类号： Q816
- 收稿：2024-11-27，
  
  修回：2025-02-19，
  
  纸质出版：2025-06-30
- 稿件说明：
移动端阅览
田晓军，张日新. 合成基因回路面临的细胞“经济学窘境”［J］. 合成生物学， 2025， 6（3）： 532-546

TIAN Xiao-jun， ZHANG Rixin. “Economics Paradox” with cells in synthetic gene circuits［J］. Synthetic Biology Journal， 2025， 6（3）： 532-546
田晓军，张日新. 合成基因回路面临的细胞“经济学窘境”［J］. 合成生物学， 2025， 6（3）： 532-546 DOI： 10.12211/2096-8280.2024-083.

TIAN Xiao-jun， ZHANG Rixin. “Economics Paradox” with cells in synthetic gene circuits［J］. Synthetic Biology Journal， 2025， 6（3）： 532-546 DOI： 10.12211/2096-8280.2024-083.

摘要

在合成生物学中，基因模块是执行生物功能的核心元件。“模块性”是指已知基因元件在被拼装为目的基因回路后仍能保持其功能相对独立的特性。不同于传统工程学独立且稳定的特性，基因回路存在于动态变化的细胞环境中，其功能蛋白的表达效率高度依赖于胞内资源。有限的资源分配使得基因回路面临胞内资源的约束挑战，导致基因回路的模块性丧失。恢复基因回路的模块性有助于构建普适的生命系统理论模型，推动人工生命体系的智能化发展。近年来，有关资源竞争如何重塑基因回路表现的研究逐渐增多，这些研究加深了对潜在作用机制的理解，并推动了基因回路设计的优化。本综述系统阐述了细胞资源竞争现象对基因回路功能的影响，包括基因回路噪声的改变，基因模块的耦合关系，以及赢者通吃的涌现性。同时，对现有控制策略进行了全面归纳，包括细胞资源的正交化设计，单基因模块的资源调控以及多基因模块的统筹化控制。随着合成生物学的快速发展，人工设计的基因回路在结构和功能上会变得更加复杂。这一趋势预示着未来的研究重点将不再局限于简单的资源竞争控制体系，而需要向更大规模的研究范畴拓展。与此同时，研究方向应从基础研究探索延伸至实际应用，最终实现精确可控的人工生命体系的构建。

Abstract

In synthetic biology

gene modules are fundamental components that facilitate the execution of various biological functions. “Modularity” refers to the property where known genetic elements maintain their relatively independent functions after being assembled into specific gene circuits. Unlike traditional engineering systems

which often possess independent and stable characteristics

gene circuits must navigate the complexities of dynamically fluctuating cellular environments. This inherent variability means that the effectiveness of gene circuits in producing functional proteins is highly contingent upon the availability of intracellular resources. When these resources are scarce

it can create significant bottlenecks that impede the overall functionality of the gene circuits. Moreover

gene modules do not typically operate in isolation; rather

they are integrated into complicated network systems that interact with other modules to achieve multifaceted regulatory objectives. This interconnectedness leads to competition among various modules for limited intracellular resources

which disrupts the basic principle of modular design. Restoring the modularity of gene circuits is crucial for constructing universal models of life systems

which can further promote the intelligent development of artificial life systems. Recently

increasing studies have focused on how this resource competition impacts the performance of gene circuits

which have deepened our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and have paved the way for optimizing gene circuit designs to enhance their modularity and functionality. This review aims to comment on the influences of cellular resource competition on gene circuit functions

through exploring various aspects

including the fluctuations in noise levels within gene circuits

the coupling relationships among different gene modules

and the emergent “winner-takes-all” phenomenon. Additionally

we summarize existing strategies for controlling these challenges

such as the orthogonal design of cellular resources

the regulation of single gene modules

and the coordinated control of multiple gene modules. With the rapid development of synthetic biology

artificially designed gene circuits are becoming increasingly complicated in both structures and functions. This trend suggests that future research will no longer be limited to simple resource competition control systems

but instead will need to expand to larger-scale research areas. At the same time

research directions should extend from basic research to practical applications

ultimately aiming to construct precisely controllable artificial life systems.

关键词

Keywords

references

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