Asymptotic states and topological structure of an activation-deactivation chemical network

J Theor Biol. 2007 Apr 7;245(3):423-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2006.10.003. Epub 2006 Oct 11.

Abstract

The influence of the topology on the asymptotic states of a network of interacting chemical species has been studied by simulating its time evolution. Random and scale-free networks have been designed to support relevant features of activation-deactivation reactions networks (mapping signal transduction networks) and the system of ordinary differential equations associated to the dynamics has been numerically solved. We analysed stationary states of the dynamics as a function of the network's connectivity and of the distribution of the chemical species on the network; we found important differences between the two topologies in the regime of low connectivity. In particular, only for low connected scale-free networks it is possible to find zero activity patterns as stationary states of the dynamics which work as signal off-states. Asymptotic features of random and scale-free networks become similar as the connectivity increases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Proteins