Measurement of the copy number of the master quorum-sensing regulator of a bacterial cell

Details Measurement of the copy number of the master quorum-sensing regulator of a bacterial cell Measurement of the copy number of the master quorum-sensing regulator of a bacterial cell

2010-01-06

arxiv.org/abs/1001.0977v2

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Quantitative Methods

Main text 23 pages, 5 figures. Supporting material 19 pages, 7 figures. In new version, text revised, one figure reformatted

Scientific paper

Quorum sensing is the mechanism by which bacteria communicate and synchronize group behaviors. Quantitative information on parameters such as the copy number of particular quorum-sensing proteins should contribute strongly to understanding how the quorum-sensing network functions. Here we show that the copy number of the master regulator protein LuxR in Vibrio harveyi, can be determined in vivo by exploiting small-number fluctuations of the protein distribution when cells undergo division. When a cell divides, both its volume and LuxR protein copy number N are partitioned with slight asymmetries. We have measured the distribution functions describing the partitioning of the protein fluorescence and the cell volume. The fluorescence distribution is found to narrow systematically as the LuxR population increases while the volume partitioning is unchanged. Analyzing these changes statistically, we have determined that N = 80-135 dimers at low cell density and 575 dimers at high cell density. In addition, we have measured the static distribution of LuxR over a large (3,000) clonal population. Combining the static and time-lapse experiments, we determine the magnitude of the Fano factor of the distribution. This technique has broad applicability as a general, in vivo technique for measuring protein copy number and burst size.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Measurement of the copy number of the master quorum-sensing regulator of a bacterial cell does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Measurement of the copy number of the master quorum-sensing regulator of a bacterial cell, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Measurement of the copy number of the master quorum-sensing regulator of a bacterial cell will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-372889