Mathematical Modeling of the Interplay of Autophagy and Apoptosis

Abstract

In this chapter, we have proposed a theoretical framework for analysis of dynamics of interplay of autophagy and apoptosis in mammalian cells including cancer cells. Because quantitative experimental data on time course of interplay of autophagy and apoptosis is very limited, we have used the observations of interaction of autophagy and apoptosis in different mammalian cell types to design our primary hypothesis. Using ordinary differential equations (ODEs), we have analyzed network dynamics of molecular signaling pathways controlling cell fate at crosstalk of autophagy and apoptosis. We have used time course of autophagy level and cell fates described by Periyasamy-Thandavan et al. [32] to collectively fit the parameters of the ODE system. The mathematical model presented in this chapter can be extended and by estimating more accurate parameter sets from quantitative experimental data, it can be an integrative in silico model of cell fate decision mediated by interplay of autophagy and apoptosis.