Fig. 5

Fold Pearson and p values. The Pearson ratio is measured for three different values of eYFP basal expression: below threshold (a), around threshold (b), and above threshold (c). p values are reported for each combination of miRNA MREs on the two plasmids. The regions inside the blue perimeters are statistically significant with p<0.01. As predicted by the model, the correlation is maximal around the threshold and could be even 12-fold higher than in the unregulated case. Blue-delimited areas are regions whose Pearson ratio (i.e., the ratio of the Pearson coefficients between mCherry and mCerulean possessing different MREs for the same measure in the absence of MREs) is statistically relevant with respect to the corresponding unregulated case. eYFP enhanced yellow fluorescent protein, miRNA microRNA, MRE miRNA regulatory element