Synthetic conversion of a graded receptor signal into a tunable, reversible switch.

ABSTRACT: The ability to engineer an all-or-none cellular response to a given signaling ligand is important in applications ranging from biosensing to tissue engineering. However, synthetic gene network 'switches' have been limited in their applicability and tunability due to their reliance on specific components to function. Here, we present a strategy for reversible switch design that instead relies only on a robust, easily constructed network topology with two positive feedback loops and we apply the method to create highly ultrasensitive (n(H)>20), bistable cellular responses to a synthetic ligand/receptor complex. Independent modulation of the two feedback strengths enables rational tuning and some decoupling of steady-state (ultrasensitivity, signal amplitude, switching threshold, and bistabil

SUBMITTER: Palani S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3094063 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature