Abstract
The complexity of the cells can be described and understood by a number of networks such as protein-protein interaction, cytoskeletal, organelle, signalling, gene transcription and metabolic networks. All these networks are highly dynamic producing continuous rearrangements in their links, hubs, network-skeleton and modules. Here we describe the adaptation of cellular networks after various forms of stress causing perturbations, congestions and network damage. Chronic stress decreases link-density, decouples or even quarantines modules, and induces an increased competition between network hubs and bridges. Extremely long or strong stress may induce a topological phase transition in the respective cellular networks, which switches the cell to a completely different mode of cellular function. We summarize our initial knowledge on network restoration after stress including the role of molecular chaperones in this process. Finally, we discuss the implications of stress-induced network rearrangements in diseases and ageing, and propose therapeutic approaches both to increase the robustness and help the repair of cellular networks.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3675-3680 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | FEBS Letters |
Volume | 581 |
Issue number | 19 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 31 2007 |
Funding
The authors thank members of the LINK-group ( www.weaklinks.sote.hu ) for helpful discussions and for the anonymous referee for helpful comments. Work in the authors’ laboratory was supported by research grants from the EU (FP6-506850, FP6-016003) and by the Hungarian National Research Initiative (NKFP-1A/056/2004 and KKK-0015/3.0).
Keywords
- Ageing
- Chaperone
- Complex systems
- Hubs
- Learning
- Network dynamics
- Network modules
- Stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology