Robustness Analysis of the IFN-γ Induced JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Here, the issue of robustness analysis of cell JAK-STAT signal transduction networks is addressed. This is investigated upon a mathematical model of IFN-γ induced JAK-STAT signaling pathway by applying robustness analysis which is based on a broad range of simultaneous and systematical parameters variation. The effects of the variations of the initial signal proteins' concentrations on the output of this system are also studied. The study demonstrates that the JAK-STAT signaling pathway is robust with respect to its “signal time” and “signal duration”, but sensitive with respect to its “signal amplitude”. These analysis results can point to experimental designs that can further test how the pathway activity can be perturbed.