Mathematical modeling of calcium homeostasis in yeast cells

Cell Calcium. 2006 Apr;39(4):337-48. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2005.12.001. Epub 2006 Jan 30.

Abstract

In this study, based on currently available experimental observations on protein level, we constructed a mathematical model to describe calcium homeostasis in normally growing yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Simulation results show that tightly controlled low cytosolic calcium ion level can be a natural result under the general mechanism of gene expression feedback control. The calmodulin (a sensor protein) behavior in our model cell agrees well with relevant observations in real cells. Moreover, our model can qualitatively reproduce the experimentally observed response curve of real yeast cell responding to step-like disturbance in extracellular calcium ion concentration. Further investigations show that the feedback control mechanism in our model is as robust as it is in real cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcineurin / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / physiology
  • Calcium Channels / physiology*
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / genetics
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / physiology
  • Calmodulin / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Homeostasis
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Mutant Proteins / physiology
  • Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Calmodulin
  • Mutant Proteins
  • PMC1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Calcineurin
  • Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Calcium