Computational Modelling of the Receptor-tyrosine-kinase-activated MAPK Pathway

Overview

Journal Biochem J

Specialty Biochemistry

Date 2005 Nov 19

PMID 16293107

Citations 124

Authors

Richard J Orton

Oliver E Sturm

Vladislav Vyshemirsky

Muffy Calder

David R Gilbert

Walter Kolch

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway is one of the most important and intensively studied signalling pathways. It is at the heart of a molecular-signalling network that governs the growth, proliferation, differentiation and survival of many, if not all, cell types. It is de-regulated in various diseases, ranging from cancer to immunological, inflammatory and degenerative syndromes, and thus represents an important drug target. Over recent years, the computational or mathematical modelling of biological systems has become increasingly valuable, and there is now a wide variety of mathematical models of the MAPK pathway which have led to some novel insights and predictions as to how this system functions. In the present review we give an overview of the processes involved in modelling a biological system using the popular approach of ordinary differential equations. Focusing on the MAPK pathway, we introduce the features and functions of the pathway itself before comparing the available models and describing what new biological insights they have led to.

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