Basic, simple and extendable kinetic model of protein synthesis (Q2045463)

The paper studies mathematical models of protein synthesis, a core biological process that governs the abundance of proteins in cells. While different mathematical models exist, they study a reduction of this process to a simple chemical kinetic model and its modifications, where unfortunately no references for the original model they consider is given. The lumping to the reduced deterministic model is performed via the so-called ``asymptotology method'' [\textit{A. N. Gorban}, \textit{O. Radulescu} and \textit{A. Y. Zinovyev}, ``Asymptotology of chemical reaction networks'', Chem. Eng. Sci. 65, No. 7, 2310--2324 (2010; \url{doi:10.1016/j.ces.2009.09.005})], and they derive a four-dimensional linear ODE. While the derivation and validity of the reduction is not explained, the reduced model is later expanded. For different extensions they discuss assumptions made and analyse steady states, bistability or other properties. They use explicit calculations to derive steady states, sometimes transient solutions and approximation, and perform simulations in order to compare the models and their biological implications. While the paper is interesting to read, it would have been helpful to further discuss the relationship of their models to other models in the field.