@article{1842,
  keywords = {Membrane Proteins, Bacterial Proteins, Escherichia coli Proteins, Molecular Motor Proteins, Protein Kinases, Microscopy, Video, Flagella},
  author = {Thierry Mora and Fan Bai and Yong-Suk Che and Tohru Minamino and Keiichi Namba and Ned Wingreen},
  title = {Non-genetic individuality in Escherichia coli motor switching.},
  abstract = {<p>By analyzing 30 min, high-resolution recordings of single Escherichia coli flagellar motors in the physiological regime, we show that two main properties of motor switching-the mean clockwise and mean counter-clockwise interval durations-vary significantly. When we represent these quantities on a two-dimensional plot for several cells, the data do not fall on a one-dimensional curve, as expected with a single control parameter, but instead spread in two dimensions, pointing to motor individuality. The largest variations are in the mean counter-clockwise interval, and are attributable to variations in the concentration of the internal signaling molecule CheY-P. In contrast, variations in the mean clockwise interval are interpreted in terms of motor individuality. We argue that the sensitivity of the mean counter-clockwise interval to fluctuations in CheY-P is consistent with an optimal strategy of run and tumble. The concomittent variability in mean run length may allow populations of cells to better survive in rapidly changing environments by {\textquoteright}hedging their bets{\textquoteright}.</p>},
  year = {2011},
  journal = {Phys Biol},
  volume = {8},
  pages = {024001},
  month = {04/2011},
  language = {eng},
}