Mathematical Modelling of Metabolic Regulation in Aging

Mc Auley, Mark; Mooney, Kathleen; Angell, Peter; Wilkinson, Stephen

Abstract

The underlying cellular mechanisms that characterize aging are complex and multifaceted. However, it is emerging that aging could be regulated by two distinct metabolic hubs. These hubs are the pathway defined by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and that defined by the NAD+-dependent deacetylase enzyme, SIRT1. Recent experimental evidence suggests that there is crosstalk between these two important pathways; however, the mechanisms underpinning their interaction(s) remains poorly understood. In this review, we propose using computational modelling in tandem with experimentation to delineate the mechanism(s). We briefly discuss the main modelling frameworks that could be used to disentangle this relationship and present a reduced reaction pathway that could be modelled. We conclude by outlining the limitations of computational modelling and by discussing opportunities for future progress in this area.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Mar 25, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Apr 27, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 27, 2015
• Deposit Date: Feb 19, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 21, 2025
• Journal: Metabolites
• Electronic ISSN: 2218-1989
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 232-251
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo5020232