Development and Application of an Expert System for Analysis of the Functional Continuum of Regulatory Peptides (Review)

S. V. Koroleva@1 (Footnote 1: Corresponding author; ) and I. P. Ashmarin

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Chair of Human and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University , Vorob'evy gory, Moscow , 119899 Russia

Received July 13, 2005; in final form, August 15, 2005

Abstract: An expert computer system was developed to analyze the effects of regulatory peptides (RPs) and some other biologically active compounds. The database includes information on their structures and physiological and inductive effects taking in account the method of administration, doses, and types of organisms. The developed method of vector representation of RP effects and the software modules provide for the estimation of the role of single RPs and their combinations in the regulatory system of organism. The expert system was used for solving the following tasks: (1) an analysis of the structural and functional organization of the RP continuum and a search for effective RP combinations regulating the levels of anxiety, depression, cognitive processes, etc; (2) design of a network of complicated cross inductive connections of major members of RP families; and (3) an analysis of the peculiar features of functioning of numerous internal reward factors.

Key words: anxiety, biologically active substances, depression, expert system, regulatory peptides, internal reward factor

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry 2006, 32 (3):224-230