Fault diagnosis engineering of digital circuits can identify vulnerable molecules in complex cellular pathways

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-21-2008

Abstract

The application of complex system engineering approaches to cell signaling networks should lead to novel understandings and, subsequently, new treatments for complex disorders. In the area of circuit fault diagnosis engineering, there are various methods to identify the defective or vulnerable components of complex digital electronic circuits. In biological systems, however, knowledge is limited regarding the vulnerability of interconnected signaling pathways to the dysfunction of each specific molecule. By developing proper biologically driven digital vulnerability assessment methods, the vulnerability of complex signaling networks to the possible dysfunction of each molecule can be determined. To show the utility of this approach, we analyzed three well-characterized signaling networks-a cellular network that regulates the activity of caspase3, a network that regulates the activity of p53, and a central nervous system network that regulates the activity of the transcription factor CREB (adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein). We found important differences among the vulnerability values of different molecules. Most of the identified highly vulnerable molecules are functionally related and known key regulators of these networks. Experimental data confirmed the ability of digital vulnerability assessment to correctly predict key regulators in the CREB network. Because this approach may provide insight into key molecules that contribute to human diseases, it may aid in the identification of critical targets for drug development. Copyright © 2008 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Identifier

58149261709 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Science Signaling

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1126/scisignal.2000008

e-ISSN

19379145

ISSN

19450877

PubMed ID

18941139

First Page

ra10

Issue

42

Volume

1

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