Bulk-surface coupling identifies the mechanistic connection between Min-protein patterns in vivo and in vitro.

ABSTRACT: Self-organisation of Min proteins is responsible for the spatial control of cell division in Escherichia coli, and has been studied both in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the protein patterns observed in these settings differ qualitatively and quantitatively. This puzzling dichotomy has not been resolved to date. Using reconstituted proteins in laterally wide microchambers with a well-controlled height, we experimentally show that the Min protein dynamics on the membrane crucially depend on the micro chamber height due to bulk concentration gradients orthogonal to the membrane. A theoretical analysis shows that in vitro patterns at low microchamber height are driven by the same lateral oscillation mode as pole-to-pole oscillations in vivo. At larger microchamber height, additional vertic

SUBMITTER: Brauns F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8175580 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature