Abstract:
We derive a deterministic mathematical model for the flow of ribosomes along a mRNA called the ribosome flow model with
extended objects and abortions (RFMEOA). This model incorporates important cellular features such as every ribosome covers several
codons and they may detach from various regions along the track due to more realistic biological situations including phenomena of
ribosome-ribosome collisions. We prove that the ribosome density profile along the mRNA in the RFMEOA and in particular, the protein
production rate converge to a unique steady-state. Simulations of the RFMEOA demonstrate a surprising result that an increase in the
initiation rate may sometimes lead to a decrease in the production rate. We believe that this model could be helpful to provide insight
into the effects of premature termination on the protein expression and be useful for understanding and re-engineering the translation
process.
