Use of implicit methods from general sensitivity theory to develop a systematic approach to metabolic control. II: Complex systems (Q1123837)

The matrix algebra, which was developed in part I, see the preceding review, Zbl 0677.92005, by using implicit methods from general sensitivity theory, is applied to biochemical pathways with catalytic conserved cycles or branches in steady state. In the case of conserved cycles, elasticities become modified as so-called ``apparent elasticities'' due to the existence of linear dependencies among the concentration variables in the cycle. In branched pathways new matrix elements involving ratios of fluxes appear. The matrix equations relate flux and concentration control coefficients with (apparent) elasticity coefficients and with derivatives of enzyme velocities with respect to the concentration of the corresponding enzymes. The latter matrix is the identity matrix in the special case that all the velocities are homogeneous with respect to the enzyme concentrations. Then the control coefficients may be calculated simply by inverting the elasticities matrix, and vice versa if the matrix of control coefficients is known. For an arbitrary system of cycles and branches, rules for the construction of the matrices are given.