Transition to Multicellularity and Peto Paradox

Abstract

This paper aims to explain the transition to multicellularity as a consequence of the evolutionary response to stress. The proposed model is composed of three parts. The first part details stochastic biochemical kinetics within a reactor (potentially compartmentalized), where kinetic rates are influenced by random stress parameters, such as temperature, toxins, oxidants, etc. The second part of the model is a feedback mechanism governed by a genetic regulation network (GRN). The third component involves stochastic dynamics that describe the evolution of this network. We assume that the organism remains viable as long as the concentrations of certain key reagents are maintained within a defined range (the homeostasis domain). For this model, we calculate the probability estimate that the system will stay within the homeostasis domain under stress impacts. Under certain assumptions, we show that a GRN expansion increases the viability probability in a very sharp manner. It is shown that multicellular organisms increase their viability due to compartment organization and stem cell activity. By the viability probability estimates, an explanation of the Peto paradox is proposed: why large organisms are stable with respect to cancer attacks.

Keywords

• evolution
• response to stress
• networks