TitlePattern formation within Escherichia coli: diffusion, membrane attachment, and self-interaction of MinD molecules.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsKulkarni, RV, Huang, KCasey, Kloster, M, Wingreen, NS
JournalPhys Rev Lett
Volume93
Issue22
Pagination228103
Date Published2004 Nov 26
KeywordsAdenosine Triphosphatases, Binding Sites, Computer Simulation, Diffusion, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli Proteins, Membrane Fusion, Models, Biological, Models, Chemical, Models, Statistical, Protein Binding, Protein Transport
Abstract

In E. coli, accurate cell division depends upon the oscillation of Min proteins from pole to pole. We provide a model for the polar localization of MinD based only on diffusion, a delay for nucleotide exchange, and different rates of attachment to the bare membrane and the occupied membrane. We derive analytically the probability density, and correspondingly the length scale, for MinD attachment zones. Our simple analytical model illustrates the processes giving rise to the observed localization of cellular MinD zones.
Alternate JournalPhys. Rev. Lett.