A Mathematical Model of Cellular Signaling Kinetics
Mary Ann Horn
National Science Foundation
Focusing on signaling pathways in a macrophage-like cell line,
mathematical models provide insight into the structure and function of
complex cellular interactions. Activation of cell surface G-protein coupled
receptors initiates diverse cellular signaling responses including
mobilization of internal calcium, cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulation,
and activation of lipid hydrolases and kinases. These signaling pathways
interact with one another, often in a nonlinear manner, and the final
biological response is shaped by the nature of these interactions.
Recently, there has been significant progress in modeling individual
components of such pathways and our goal has been the construction of a
comprehensive mathematical model for one particular signaling pathway of
significant interest to pharmacology. The development of the model and its
impact on the understanding of the underlying biology will be discussed.
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