Genome-scale reconstruction of the Mus musculus metabolic network
Kashif Sheikh1, Lars Nielsen2
1kashifs@cheque.uq.edu.au, University of Queensland, St. Lucia; 2Lars.Nielsen@uq.edu.au, University of Queensland, St. Lucia
An abundance of genomic data has recently been published for several organisms, presenting a unique opportunity to investigate physiological capabilities at the lowest level of the cell. However, in order to help interpret the data a rational approach of data sorting and model building must be undertaken. A draft sequence of the full genome of the common laboratory mouse, Mus Musculus, was recently published. This data was used to reconstruct the metabolic network for a mammalian cell. The reactions were compartmentalized between cytosol and mitochondria, and transporters were included between the compartments and the environment. A total of 473 open reading frames were accounted for in the reconstructed network. Additional reactions were included based on biochemical evidence in the literature, resulting in 1156 total number of reactions and 872 internal metabolites. Transport processes accounted for another 277 reactions. The metabolic abilities of the reconstructed network were tested by comparing with experimental data. Although not covering the complete metabolism, it represents the first genomic scale model for a mammalian cell. It may be used as an in silico template for analysis of phenotypic functions.