Open AccessSystems analysis of the “weights” of Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1 in mitochondrial apoptosis pathway establishes a predictor for best drug combination ratio
Author(s) -
Guo Zongwei,
Yin Fangkui,
Wang Peiran,
Song Ting,
Zhang Zhichao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
quantitative biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.707
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2095-4697
pISSN - 2095-4689
DOI - 10.15302/j-qb-021-0237
Subject(s) - apoptosis , myeloid , drug , dependency (uml) , downregulation and upregulation , myeloid leukemia , chemistry , cancer research , computational biology , biology , pharmacology , computer science , gene , biochemistry , software engineering
Background Inhibitors of B‐cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) family proteins have shown hope as antitumor drugs. While the notion that it is efficient to coordinate, balance, and neutralize both arms of the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family has been validated in many cancer cells, the weights of the two arms contributing to apoptosis inhibition have not been explored. This study analyzed the best combination ratio for different Bcl‐2 selective inhibitors. Methods We used a previously established mathematical model to study the weights of Bcl‐2 (representing both Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL in this study) and myeloid cell leukemia‐1 (Mcl‐1). Correlation and single‐parameter sensitivity analysis were used to find the major molecular determinants for Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1 dependency, as well as their weights. Biological experiments were used to verify the mathematical model. Results Bcl‐2 protein level and Mcl‐1 protein level, production, and degradation rates were the major molecular determinants for Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1 dependency. The model gained agreement with the experimental assays for ABT‐737/A‐1210477 and ABT‐737/compound 5 combination effect in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231. Two sets of equations composed of Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1 levels were obtained to predict the best combination ratio for Bcl‐2 inhibitors with Mcl‐1 inhibitors that stabilize and downregulate Mcl‐1, respectively. Conclusions The two sets of equations can be used as tools to bypass time‐consuming and laborious experimental screening to predict the best drug combination ratio for treatment.