title: Modeling biochemical networks: a cellular-automata approach.
abstract: The potential of the cellular-automata (CA) method for modeling biological networks is demonstrated for the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade. The models derived reproduced the high signal amplification through the cascade and the deviation of the cascade enzymes from the Michaelis-Menten kinetics, evidencing cooperativity effects. The patterns of pathway change upon varying substrate concentrations and enzyme efficiencies were identified and used to show the ways for controlling pathway processes. Guidance in the selection of enzyme inhibition targets with minimum side effects is one outcome of the study.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842030, Richmond, VA 23284-2030, USA. lbkier@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Lemont B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Kier
authors.forename: Danail
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonchev
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Buck
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases