proliferation
Definition
Proliferation is the process by which cells divide and increase in number through the cell cycle, involving coordinated progression through G1, S, G2, and M phases. This fundamental cellular response is tightly regulated by growth factors, cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and checkpoint proteins. Proliferation is essential for tissue development, wound healing, and immune responses, but dysregulated proliferation is a hallmark of cancer and other pathological conditions. The balance between pro-proliferative signals (such as growth factor receptor activation) and anti-proliferative mechanisms (including tumor suppressors like p53 and Rb) determines whether cells enter, progress through, or exit the cell cycle.
Visualize proliferation in Nodes Bio
Researchers can map proliferation signaling networks in Nodes Bio by connecting growth factor receptors, downstream kinase cascades (MAPK, PI3K/AKT), transcription factors, and cell cycle regulators. Network visualization reveals how therapeutic compounds modulate proliferative pathways, identifies key regulatory nodes, and traces causal relationships between receptor activation and cell cycle entry, enabling systematic analysis of anti-proliferative drug mechanisms.
Visualization Ideas:
- Growth factor receptor signaling cascades leading to cell cycle entry
- Cell cycle regulatory network showing cyclin-CDK complexes and checkpoint proteins
- Comparative pathway analysis of proliferation vs. apoptosis signaling in drug-treated cells
Example Use Case
An oncology research team investigating resistance to EGFR inhibitors in lung cancer uses network analysis to map proliferation pathways. They discover that resistant cells activate alternative proliferative routes through MET receptor amplification, bypassing EGFR blockade. By visualizing the network connections between EGFR, MET, downstream effectors like ERK and AKT, and cell cycle proteins like cyclin D1, they identify combination therapy targets that simultaneously block multiple proliferative pathways to overcome resistance.