2018 Volume 30 Issue 3 Pages 73-79
The calculation of steady-state sensitivities are essential to efficiently characterize a metabolic reaction network. These values are usually calculated with respect to metabolite concentrations and local fluxes and then individually shown in a three-dimensional plot. The drawn figures are useful to identify which dependent variable is strongly affected by a change in an independent variable or parameter, but cannot be used to understand how the resulting influence is propagated through a network. To solve this problem, we developed a software program, by which a metabolic network chart with metabolite pools and flux arrows color-coded according to the magnitudes and signs of steady-state sensitivities is automatically drawn, and then carried out the evaluation of this chart. Consequently, we found that the chart makes it easy to understand not only the influences caused by a change in an independent variable or parameter of interest but also the propagations of the influences through a network by relating them to a network structure.