Exact solution of a model DNA-inversion genetic switch with orientational control.
DNA inversion is an important mechanism by which bacteria and bacteriophage switch reversibly between phenotypic states. In such switches, the orientation of a short DNA element is flipped by a site-specific recombinase enzyme. We propose a simple model for a DNA-inversion switch in which recombinase production is dependent on the switch state (orientational control). Our model is inspired by the fim switch in E. coli. We present an exact analytical solution of the chemical master equation for the model switch, as well as stochastic simulations. Orientational control causes the switch to deviate from Poissonian behavior: the distribution of times in the on state shows a peak and successive flip times are correlated.
SUPA, School of Physics, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, United Kingdom.
Paolo
P
Visco
Rosalind J
RJ
Allen
Martin R
MR
Evans
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010641:Phenotype; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013997:Time Factors
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D004247:DNA; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases