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An experimentalist's guide to computational modelling of the Min system
Author(s) -
Kruse Karsten,
Howard Martin,
Margolin William
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.05607.x
Subject(s) - biology , biological system , instability , dynamics (music) , key (lock) , systems biology , computational biology , stability (learning theory) , protein stability , biophysics , physics , computer science , microbiology and biotechnology , mechanics , ecology , machine learning , acoustics
Summary Spatio‐temporal oscillations of the Min proteins are essential for selecting the cell division site in Escherichia coli . These oscillations are a key example of a biological phenomenon that can only be understood on a systems level rather than on the level of its individual components. Here, we review the key concepts that mathematical modelling has added to our understanding of the Min system. While several different mechanisms have been proposed, in all cases the oscillations emerge from a dynamic instability of a uniform protein distribution. To generate this instability, however, the various mechanisms rely on different features of Min protein interactions and transport. We critically evaluate these mechanisms in light of recent experimental evidence. We also review the effects of fluctuations caused by low cellular concentration of Min proteins, and describe how stochastic effects may potentially influence Min protein dynamics.