A model of regulatory dynamics with threshold-type state-dependent delay

We model intracellular regulatory dynamics with threshold-type state-dependent delay and investigate the effect of the state-dependent diffusion time. A general model which is an extension of the classic differential equation models with constant or zero time delays is developed to study the stability of steady state, the occurrence and stability of periodic oscillations in regulatory dynamics. Using the method of multiple time scales, we compute the normal form of the general model and show that the state-dependent diffusion time may give arise to both supercritical and subcritical Hopf bifurcations. Numerical simulations of the prototype model of genetic regulatory dynamics are also given to illustrate the general results.