BackgroundA gene network's capacity to process information, so as to bind past events to future actions, depends on its structure and logic. From previous and new microarray measurements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae following gene deletions and overexpressions, we identify a core gene regulatory network (GRN) of functional interactions between 328 genes and the transfer functions of each gene. Inferred connections are verified by gene enrichment.ResultsWe find that this core network has a generalized clustering coefficient that is much higher than chance. The inferred Boolean transfer functions have a mean p-bias of 0.41, and thus similar amounts of activation and repression interactions. However, the distribution of p-biases differs significantly from what is expected by chance that, along with the high mean connectivity, is found to cause the core GRN of S. cerevisiae's to have an overall sensitivity similar to critical Boolean networks. In agreement, we find that the amount of information propagated between nodes in finite time series is much higher in the inferred core GRN of S. cerevisiae than what is expected by chance.ConclusionsWe suggest that S. cerevisiae is likely to have evolved a core GRN with enhanced information propagation among its genes.

Gatekeeping refers to clinicians’ strict application of eligibility criteria to determine a trans patient's “fitness” to engage in medical transition, resulting in significant barriers to gender-affirming care. Gatekeeping often uses “mental readiness” as a prerequisite to medical transition, which contributes to patient distress and systemic discrimination. Changing international trans health guidelines (the new World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care version 8) recommends clinicians shift from a gatekeeping model towards an informed consent model, which improves access to care. This commentary offers recommendations on how clinicians can reconsider existing “mental readiness” frameworks around medical transition to facilitate improved access to care.

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