Modular-Based Modelling of Protein Synthesis Regulation

G. Maria

Abstract
A variable-volume modelling framework has been used to build-up modular structures that can reproduce complex protein syntheses inside cells. Methodology is based on a modular kinetic representation of the homeostatic regulatory network that control the metabolic processes, and on a globally efficient module-linking rule that optimise the chain performance indices. The paper exemplifies, at a generic level, how this methodology can be applied to: i) characterize the module efficiency, species connectivity, system stability, based on proposed regulatory indices vs. dynamic and stationary environmental perturbations; ii) build-up modular regulatory chains of various complexity; iii) prove feasibility of the cooperative vs. uncooperative construction that ensures gene expression, system homeostasis, proteic functions, and an equilibrated cell growth during the cell cycle. The more realistic variable-cell-volume dynamic modelling allows an accurate evaluation of individual effector/unit efficiency and perturbation propagation inside a cell, pointing out the influence of module type and enzyme activity allosteric control on regulatory indices.

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Keywords
Modular modelling, homeostatic regulation, protein synthesis