Noise reduction by diffusional dissipation in a minimal quorum sensing motif.

ABSTRACT: Cellular interactions are subject to random fluctuations (noise) in quantities of interacting molecules. Noise presents a major challenge for the robust function of natural and engineered cellular networks. Past studies have analyzed how noise is regulated at the intracellular level. Cell-cell communication, however, may provide a complementary strategy to achieve robust gene expression by enabling the coupling of a cell with its environment and other cells. To gain insight into this issue, we have examined noise regulation by quorum sensing (QS), a mechanism by which many bacteria communicate through production and sensing of small diffusible signals. Using a stochastic model, we analyze a minimal QS motif in Gram-negative bacteria. Our analysis shows that diffusion of the QS signal, toge

SUBMITTER: Tanouchi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2507755 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature