Department of Physics2024-11-0920151478-396710.1088/1478-3975/12/3/0360022-s2.0-84937546966http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1478-3975/12/3/036002https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14288/6635We define a measure of coherent activity for gene regulatory networks, A property that reflects the unity of purpose between the regulatory agents with a common target. We propose that such harmonious regulatory action is desirable under a demand for energy efficiency and may be selected for under evolutionary pressures. We consider two recent models of the cell-cycle regulatory network of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a case study and calculate their degree of coherence. a comparison with random networks of similar size and composition reveals that the yeast's cell-cycle regulation is wired to yield an exceptionally high level of coherent regulatory activity. We also investigate the mean degree of coherence as a function of the network size, connectivity and the fraction of repressory/activatory interactions.BiochemistryMolecular biologyBiophysicsJournal Article1478-3975361836300005Q3312