Engineering reaction networks by sequential signal processing

The study of dynamic molecular systems opens new opportunities for the design of networks presenting life-like behavior, including regulation modules that, following triggering, induce downstream activity. To this aim, we report on new signaling pathways in synthetic, peptide-based networks, achieved by stepwise manipulation of bistable functionality. The studied reactions generate two distinct steady-state (SS) signals, low SS and high SS. Two different pathways are successfully implemented to control the system rewiring: (1) a “switch and erase” function via alternating application of external chemical and physical constraints and (2) alteration of the order of addition of the network components during the reaction, hence converting one type of signal into the other without changing the overall mass balance. Our study presents a unique example of sequential switch processing and signal transduction in a homogeneous medium, implying a new approach toward the construction of complex systems, potentially useful as components of future artificial cells.