Fig. 4. Mathematical modelling suggests that the molecular timer can prevent apoptosis.

A workflow for assessment of the molecular timer contribution to apoptosis prevention (a). Virtual cells were defined from physiological protein levels (i) to be tested for apoptosis resistance (ii). Apoptosis resistant cells are then simulated without the molecular timer (iii) to look for molecular timer dependent resistance to apoptosis. Survival curves with and without the molecular timer (b) for complete MOMP (i) and minority MOMP (ii). Apoptosis death event was considered to be when 25% of C3-substrate cleavage is reached. P values in B from logrank test, n = 1000 for all groups.