A STEADY-STATE MODEL FOR CAROTENOID METABOLISM

A mathematical model describing the metabolism of carotenoids and other biologically active compounds is proposed. Procedures for evaluating the steady-state concentrations and conditions for stability are described. Possible steady-state distributions of the concentrations of carotenoid synthesis intermediates and the patterns of their changes depending on the structural features of the scheme are evaluated. The system was found to include a large number of ''metabolism-limiting'' intermediates which are present at low concentrations; the amount of carotenoid synthesized (quality criterion) may not be the most sensitive to changes in concentrations of intermediates close to carotenoid in the metabolic scheme. The optimal intermediate for the control of carotenoid synthesis is determined by a relation of Michaelis constants and maximal rates of reactions in the scheme.