Minimization and Equivalence in Multi-valued Logical Models of Regulatory Networks

摘要

Multi-valued logical models can be used to describe biological networks on ahigh level of abstraction based on the network structure and logical parameterscapturing regulatory effects. Interestingly, the dynamics of two distinctmodels need not necessarily be different, which might hint at either onlynon-functional characteristics distinguishing the models or at differentpossible implementations for the same behaviour. Here, we study the conditionsallowing for such effects by analysing classes of dynamically equivalent modelsand both structurally maximal and minimal representatives of such classes.Finally, we present an efficient algorithm that constructs a minimalrepresentative of the respective class of a given multi-valued model.