Graph-theoretic approach to metabolic pathways.

A graph-theoretic approach is shown to be applicable within the framework of the metabolic control analysis. Kinetic differential equations linearized near a steady state are presented as kinetic graphs (schemes), their structure being correlated with kinetic properties of corresponding metabolic networks. The global properties may be expressed in terms of the local properties for steady states of metabolic systems. Instability, bistability, and concentrational oscillations are shown to be induced by specific graph fragments. The approach is illustrated by an example of systems showing the oscillatory kinetic behaviour.