Welcome to the In-Silico Model of Cutaneous Lipids Wiki
Contents
About the Project
The skin is the largest structure in the body and acts as the ultimate barrier to our environment. The aim of this project is to comprehend how the lipid network within the skin responds in physiopathological states such as inflammation (sunburn, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis). Little is known about the regulatory relationships within the cutaneous lipid signalling networks, and there is a distinct lack of information about how these networks interact between compartments (the different layers of the skin).
Description of the Model
We aim to create a quantitative computational model of the cutaneous lipid signalling networks, including variables such as multiple lipid substrates and enzyme isoforms. Model construction will be guided by literature studies, combined with new experimental lipidomics data collected in this project. In order to analyse model properties, experimental studies such as altering the systemic availability of fatty acids and the effect upon the anti-inflammatory milieu will be measured. This information will be integrated into the model to obtain estimated kinetic parameter values and also to validate and refine the overall model topology. The resulting mathematical model will be testable and predictive of the lipid responses during inflammation. The insights obtained will allow for more targeted experiments to be designed in order to better understand skin lipid biology and to aid in the mapping of lipid networks contributing to inflammation. This will ultimately support the design of interventional studies to combat skin disease.
Species
Acronym | Name | Species Type |
---|---|---|
AA | Arachidonic Acid | Chemical |
PGH2 | Prostaglandin H2 | Chemical |
PGF2α | Prostaglandin F2α | Chemical |
OR-R2 | Complex of R protein and operator site upstream scbR promoter | Cell |
OA-R2 | Complex of R protein and operator site within scbA promoter | Cell |
OA'-AR2 | Putative operator site presumed to activate scbA gene by the AR2 complex | Cell |
r | mRNA transcript of scbR gene | Cell |
a | mRNA transcript of scbA gene | Cell |
r-a | complex of full length scbR and scbA mRNAs due to antisense effect | Cell |
R | ScbR protein | Cell |
R2 | ScbR homo-dimer | Cell |
A | ScbA protein | Cell |
C | SCBs (γ-butyrolactones) | Cell |
AR2 | ScbA-ScbR complex | Cell |
S | Glycerol derivative and β-keto acid derivative precursors | Cell |
C2-R2 | SCBs-ScbR complex | Cell |
Ce | Extracellular SCBs (γ-butyrolactones) | Environment |
Information on the initial concentrations of all species can be found here.