System-level pathways

System-level pathways represent the integrated networks of molecular interactions, including signal transduction, metabolic processes, and gene regulatory circuits, that define the functional state of a biological system (Kanehisa et al., 2021, KEGG database). These pathways are not individual therapeutic targets but rather the context in which specific targets operate, reflecting the complexity of cellular responses to internal and external cues (Gillespie et al., 2022, Reactome). In modern pharmacology, the study of system-level pathways allows for a holistic understanding of disease mechanisms, where pathology often arises from the collective dysfunction of multiple pathway components rather than a single lesion (Hopkins, 2008, Nature Chemical Biology). Drugs typically interact with specific proteins within these pathways, but their therapeutic and toxic effects are propagated through the entire network. Consequently, analyzing system-level pathways is a core principle of systems pharmacology, aiming to improve drug efficacy by accounting for pathway redundancy and feedback loops.

Other names

Biological pathwaysCellular networksSystems biology pathwaysSignaling networksMetabolic networks

Not applicable; this term refers to a broad biological concept rather than a specific molecular target.