Qualitative modelling and formal verification of the FLR1 gene mancozeb response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
BACKGROUND
Qualitative models allow understanding the relation between the structure and the dynamics of gene regulatory networks. The dynamical properties of these models can be automatically analysed by means of formal verification methods, like model checking. This facilitates the model-validation process and the test of new hypotheses to reconcile model predictions with the experimental data.


RESULTS
The authors report in this study the qualitative modelling and simulation of the transcriptional regulatory network controlling the response of the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the agricultural fungicide mancozeb. The model allowed the analysis of the regulation level and activity of the components of the gene mancozeb-induced network controlling the transcriptional activation of the FLR1 gene, which is proposed to confer multidrug resistance through its putative role as a drug eflux pump. Formal verification analysis of the network allowed us to confront model predictions with the experimental data and to assess the model robustness to parameter ordering and gene deletion.


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis enabled us to better understand the mechanisms regulating the FLR1 gene mancozeb response and confirmed the need of a new transcription factor for the full transcriptional activation of YAP1. The result is a computable model of the FLR1 gene response to mancozeb, permitting a quick and cost-effective test of hypotheses prior to experimental validation.
INESC-ID/IST, Rua Alves Redol 9, Lisboa 1000-029, Portugal. ptgm@kdbio.inesc-id.pt
P T
PT
Monteiro
P J
PJ
Dias
D
D
Ropers
A L
AL
Oliveira
I
I
Sá-Correia
M C
MC
Teixeira
A T
AT
Freitas
D000465:Algorithms; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000494:pharmacology; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D008344:Maneb / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D049490:Systems Biology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D015038:Zineb / Q000494:pharmacology*
C118429:FLR1 protein, S cerevisiae; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C086677:YAP1 protein, S cerevisiae; D008344:Maneb; C013099:mancozeb; D015038:Zineb