title: Is there an optimal ribosome concentration for maximal protein production?
abstract: A core model is presented for protein production in Escherichia coli to address the question whether there is an optimal ribosomal concentration for non-ribosome protein production. Analysing the steady-state solution of the model over a range of mRNA concentrations, indicates that such an optimum ribosomal content exists, and that the optimum shifts to higher ribosomal contents at higher specific growth rates.
authors.affiliation: Triple J Group for Molecular Cell Physiology, Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. jls@sun.ac.za
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Snoep
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Westerhoff
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rohwer
authors.forename: J H S
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hofmeyr
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008954:Models, Biological; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger