Inferring mechanisms from dose-response curves

The steady state dose-response curve of ligand-mediated gene induction usually appears to precisely follow a first-order Hill equation (Hill coefficient equal to 1). Additionally, various cofactors/reagents can affect both the potency and the maximum activity of gene induction in a gene-specific manner. Recently, we have developed a general theory for which an unspecified sequence of steps or reactions yields a first-order Hill dose-response curve (FHDC) for plots of the final product versus initial agonist concentration. The theory requires only that individual reactions "dissociate" from the downstream reactions leading to the final product, which implies that intermediate complexes are weakly bound or exist only transiently. We show how the theory can be utilized to make predictions of previously unidentified mechanisms and the site of action of cofactors/reagents. The theory is general and can be applied to any biochemical reaction that has a FHDC.