title: Lessons from mathematically modeling the NF-κB pathway.
abstract: Mathematical modeling has proved to be a critically important approach in the study of many complex networks and dynamic systems in physics, engineering, chemistry, and biology. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) system consists of more than 50 proteins and protein complexes and is both a highly networked and dynamic system. To date, mathematical modeling has only addressed a small fraction of the molecular species and their regulation, but when employed in conjunction with experimental analysis has already led to important insights. Here, we provide a personal account of studying how the NF-κB signaling system functions using mathematical descriptions of the molecular mechanisms. We focus on the insights gained about some of the key regulatory components: the control of the steady state, the signaling dynamics, and signaling crosstalk. We also discuss the biological relevance of these regulatory systems properties.
authors.affiliation: Systems Immunology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Soumen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basak
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behar
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA