Bifurcations and chaos in the MAPK signaling cascade

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is an important signaling cascade in eukaryotes. We use the approach of generalized modeling to analyze the dynamics of the MAPK cascade and identify key mechanisms of instability. Furthermore, we report sustained multi-mode oscillations and potentially chaotic behavior caused by a sequestration-based feedback mechanism. Finally, we investigate the interplay between sequestration and external feedback loops. Our analysis thereby confirms, extends and generalizes previous results obtained by conventional modeling and points out the diversity of dynamics that sequestration can bring about. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.