ANALYSIS OF METABOLIC NETWORKS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE CELL ENERGY METABOLISM

Network analysis was performed on the metabolic network of skeletal muscle cells where metabolites are denoted as nodes and reactions are denoted as connections. We also implemented an alternative approach that augments the metabolic network into an “interaction network” that represents influences that a certain metabolite can exert on others. With this novel method, key elements and modules of the system were identified with an emphasis on their regulatory function rather than just their contribution to material (carbon) flow within the pathways. We have utilized several different network analysis software packages to identify key metabolites, and motifs and investigated the modularity of these networks.