Modeling of the MAPK machinery activation in response to various abiotic and biotic stresses in plants by a system biology approach

Abstract

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) cascade plays an important role in regulating plant growth and development, generating cellular responses to the extracellular stimuli. MAPKs cascade mainly consist of three sub-families i.e. mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), several cascades of which are activated by various abiotic and biotic stresses. In this work we have modeled the holistic molecular mechanisms essential to MAPKs activation in response to several abiotic and biotic stresses through a system biology approach and performed its simulation studies. As extent of abiotic and biotic stresses goes on increasing, the process of cell division, cell growth and cell differentiation slow down in time dependent manner. The models developed depict the combinatorial and multicomponent signaling triggered in response to several abiotic and biotic factors. These models can be used to predict behavior of cells in event of various stresses depending on their time and exposure through activation of complex signaling cascades.

Keywords: Abiotic; Biotic; CellDesigner; MAPKs; Modeling; SBMLsqueezer; Simulation; System Biology.

Figure 1

MAPK abiotic activation model was created using CellDesigner ver.4.1. The graphical representation is compliant with system biology graphical notation (SBGN), Process diagrams, explicitly displaying simple molecules like abiotic stresses (Cold, Salt, Drought, H2O2, Heavy metal, Ethylene), receptors, proteins (different members of MAPKs with transcription factors) some of phosphorylated forms. The active state of the molecules is indicated by a dashed line surrounding the molecule and response in the form of phenotype symbol by using different form of colors and shape for some species, the frame in yellow represents the cellular membrane.

Figure 2

MAPK biotic activation model was created using CellDesigner ver.4.1. The graphical representation is compliant with system biology graphical notation (SBGN), Process diagrams, explicitly displaying simple molecules like biotic stresses (Fungal pathogens, Bacterial pathogens), receptors, proteins (different members of MAPKs with transcription factors) some of phosphorylated forms. The active state of the molecules is indicated by a dashed line surrounding the molecule and response in the form of phenotype by using different form of colors and shape for some species, the frame in yellow represents the cellular membrane.

Figure 3

a) Response curve showing the effect of abiotic stresses (Cold, Salt, Drought, H2O2, Heavy metal, Ethylene); b) Response curve showing the effect of biotic stresses (Fungal pathogen, Bacterial pathogen).