# Input–Output Behavior of ErbB Signaling Pathways as Revealed by a Mass Action Model Trained against Dynamic Data

 Title: Input–Output Behavior of ErbB Signaling Pathways as Revealed by a Mass Action Model Trained against Dynamic Data Author: Schoeberl, Birgit; Jasper, Paul J; Nielsen, Ulrik B; Lauffenburger, Douglas A; Chen, William Wei-Lun; Niepel, Mario; Sorger, Peter Karl Note: Order does not necessarily reflect citation order of authors. Citation: Chen, William W., Birgit Schoeberl, Paul J. Jasper, Mario Niepel, Ulrik B. Nielsen, Douglas A. Lauffenburger, and Peter K. Sorger. 2009. Input–output behavior of ErbB signaling pathways as revealed by a mass action model trained against dynamic data. Molecular Systems Biology 5: 239. Full Text & Related Files: 2644173.pdf (2.277Mb; PDF) Abstract: The ErbB signaling pathways, which regulate diverse physiological responses such as cell survival, proliferation and motility, have been subjected to extensive molecular analysis. Nonetheless, it remains poorly understood how different ligands induce different responses and how this is affected by oncogenic mutations. To quantify signal flow through ErbB-activated pathways we have constructed, trained and analyzed a mass action model of immediate-early signaling involving ErbB1–4 receptors (EGFR, HER2/Neu2, ErbB3 and ErbB4), and the MAPK and PI3K/Akt cascades. We find that parameter sensitivity is strongly dependent on the feature (e.g. ERK or Akt activation) or condition (e.g. EGF or heregulin stimulation) under examination and that this context dependence is informative with respect to mechanisms of signal propagation. Modeling predicts log-linear amplification so that significant ERK and Akt activation is observed at ligand concentrations far below the $$K_d$$ for receptor binding. However, MAPK and Akt modules isolated from the ErbB model continue to exhibit switch-like responses. Thus, key system-wide features of ErbB signaling arise from nonlinear interaction among signaling elements, the properties of which appear quite different in context and in isolation. Published Version: doi://10.1038/msb.2008.74 Other Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2644173/pdf/ Terms of Use: This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#LAA Citable link to this page: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:8148892 Downloads of this work: