Mathematical Models of the Cell Division Cycle

细胞分裂周期是一系列事件的周期性重复，包括DNA合成、有丝分裂和细胞质分裂，这些事件将单个细胞转化为两个子细胞。控制这些事件的顺序和时间是很复杂的。主要的事件是由细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶触发的，这是一类酶，其活性取决于与细胞周期蛋白的结合、磷酸化和与抑制蛋白的结合。到目前为止，对这一监管系统的描述一直是简化的；将网络分成几个部分，并研究它们如何相互作用。该项目将开发数学方法，通过这些方法，这些部分可以重新组合成一个完整的、功能性的监管系统模型。通过将模型的行为与实验观测值进行比较，可以判断模型的可信度。目标是在青蛙胚胎、酵母细胞和哺乳动物细胞中建立细胞周期控制的现实模型。解剖这一控制系统的实验工具已经发展得很好，但将各个部分组合在一起所需的理论工具在很大程度上仍未得到细胞生物学家的检验和重视。该项目旨在开发适当的数学工具，将其应用于当前数据，并将建模的力量传达给实验社区。＊＊＊

Abstract 9600536 Tyson The cell division cycle is the periodic repetition of a sequence of events, including DNA synthesis, mitosis and cytokinesis, that transform a single cell into two daughter cells. Control of the sequence and timing of these events is complex. The major events are triggered by cyclin-dependent kinases, a family of enzymes whose activity depends on binding to the cyclin proteins, phosphorylation and binding to inhibitory proteins. So far characterization of this regulatory system has been reductionistic; breaking the nnetwork into parts and examining how they interact. This project will develop mathematical methods by which the parts can be put back together into a model of an intact, functional regulatory system. By comparing the behavior of the model to experimental observations, the credibility of the model can be judged. The goal is to develop realistic models of cell cycle control in frog embryos, yeast cells and mammalian cells. The experimental tools to dissect this control system are well developed, but the theoretical tools necessary to put the pieces together are still largely untested and underappreciated by cell biologists. This projects aims at developing appropriate mathematical tools, applying them to current data, and communicating the power of modeling the to the experimental community. ***