Wolf, Heinrich, 2000

Model Structure

Glycolytic oscillations are a well studied example of rhythmic behaviour on a cellular level. They occur in a diverse array of cells including muscle, heart and pancreatic beta-cells, however the oscillations have been studied most extensively in yeast cells. Theoretical models based on experimental observations have tried to accurately define the underlying oscillatory mechanism.

In 2000, Jana Wolf and Reinhart Heinrich published a mathematical model describing the effect of cellular interaction on glycolytic oscillations in yeast (see the figure below). Unlike earlier models of glycolytic oscillations which are restricted to single cells, Wolf and Heinrich consider the effects of intercellular interaction on glycolytic oscillations. Cells often communicate by exchanging metabolic intermediates via the external medium.

The model they present in their paper is a detailed model for anaerobic energy metabolism in yeast cells. The model includes the main steps of anaerobic glycolysis and the production of ethanol and glycerol. Transmembrane diffusion of acetaldehyde is included since it is hypothesized that this metabolite mediates the intercellular interaction.

The complete original paper reference is cited below:

Effect of cellular interaction on glycolytic oscillations in yeast: a theoretical investigation, Jana Wolf and Reinhart Heinrich, 2000, Biochemical Journal , 345, 321-334. (The PDF and full text versions of the article are available on the Biochemical Journal website.) PubMed ID: 10702114

The scheme shows the main reactions of anaerobic glycolysis in yeast, in addition to transmembrane transport of glucose and the coupling substance (S4,ex). For further explanation of the symbols used, see the text.