Cancer cell(s) cycle sequencing reveals universal mechanisms of apoptosis.

In this paper, cell cycle in higher eukaryotes and their molecular networks signals both in G1/S and G2/M transitions are replicated in silico. Biochemical kinetics, converted into a set of differential equations, and system control theory are employed to design multi-nested digital layers to simulate protein-to-protein activation and inhibition for cell cycle dynamics in the presence of damaged genomes. Sequencing and controlling the digital process of four micro-scale species networks (p53/Mdm2/DNA damage, p21mRNA/cyclin-CDK complex, CDK/CDC25/weel/SKP2/APC/CKI and apoptosis target genes system) not only allows the comprehension of the mechanisms of these molecule interactions but paves the way for unraveling the participants and their by-products, until now quite unclear, which have the task of carrying out (or not) cell death. Whatever the running simulations (e.g., different species signals, mutant cells and different DNA damage levels), the results of the proposed cell digital multi-layers give reason to believe in the existence of a universal apoptotic mechanism. As a consequence, we identified and selected cell check points, sizers, timers and specific target genes dynamic both for influencing mitotic process and avoiding cancer proliferation as much as for leading the cancer cell(s) to collapse into a steady stable apoptosis phase.

On p21 tracking property in cancer cell unravelled bio-digitally in silico. Are apoptosis principles universal?

Upon severe DNA damage, p21 acts in a dual mode; on the one hand, it inhibits the cyclin-CDK complex for arresting the G2/M transition and on the other hand, it indirectly becomes an apoptotic factor by activating--in sequence--the retinoblastoma protein, E2F1 and APAF1 expressions. But, in a cancer cells proliferation, the mechanisms of, and participants in, the apoptosis failure remain unclear. Since the p21/p53/Mdm2 proteins network normally involves a digital response in a cancer cell, through an original design of a cell signalling-protein simulator, we demonstrate, in silico, that apoptosis phase instability is fully reciprocated by p21 mRNA irregular dynamics which operates according to a "tracking memory" principle. We show p21mRNA paradoxically ceases to act in concert with specific target genes and becomes an underlying accomplice of cancer proliferation. Here, we also identify the mechanisms for allowing the cancer cell to re-enter inside a steady stable apoptosis phase.