title: A model for length control of flagellar hooks of Salmonella typhimurium.
abstract: We present a mathematical model for the growth and length regulation of the hook component of the flagellar motor of Salmonella typhimurium. Under the assumption that the molecular constituents are translocated into the nascent filament by an ATP-ase and then move by molecular diffusion to the growing end, where they polymerize into the growing tube, we find that there is a detectable transition from secretion limited growth to diffusion limited growth. We propose that this transition can be detected by the secretant FliK, allowing FliK to interact with FlhB thereby changing the secretion target of the type III secretion machinery and terminating the growth of the hook.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Utah, 155 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. keener@math.utah.edu
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Keener
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D004058:Diffusion; D005407:Flagella / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D013269:Stochastic Processes
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins