Towards a better definition of the network underlying neuronal apoptosis

Apoptosis in known to be the main process leading to neuronal loss during neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, we have used a Systems Biology approach to construct a qualitative Petri net model centered on the mitochondrial dysfunction during oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (HP) in neuronally differentiated PC12 cell. We are currently analyzing the mechanisms that link mitochondria to cell cycle regulatory proteins and the potential protective effect by antioxidant sodium selenite (NaSe). Modifications of the mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ΨM)and cell cycle proteins have been functionally and temporally correlated to apoptosis. Data collected from the experimental analyses will be used for future implementation of our current qualitative Petri net model.