Noise regulation by quorum sensing in low mRNA copy number systems.
BACKGROUND
Cells must face the ubiquitous presence of noise at the level of signaling molecules. The latter constitutes a major challenge for the regulation of cellular functions including communication processes. In the context of prokaryotic communication, the so-called quorum sensing (QS) mechanism relies on small diffusive molecules that are produced and detected by cells. This poses the intriguing question of how bacteria cope with the fluctuations for setting up a reliable information exchange.


RESULTS
We present a stochastic model of gene expression that accounts for the main biochemical processes that describe the QS mechanism close to its activation threshold. Within that framework we study, both numerically and analytically, the role that diffusion plays in the regulation of the dynamics and the fluctuations of signaling molecules. In addition, we unveil the contribution of different sources of noise, intrinsic and transcriptional, in the QS mechanism.


CONCLUSIONS
The interplay between noisy sources and the communication process produces a repertoire of dynamics that depends on the diffusion rate. Importantly, the total noise shows a non-monotonic behavior as a function of the diffusion rate. QS systems seems to avoid values of the diffusion that maximize the total noise. These results point towards the direction that bacteria have adapted their communication mechanisms in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Computer Simulation and Modelling (Co.S.Mo.) Lab, Parc Científic de Barcelona, C/Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona 08028, Spain.
Marc
M
Weber
Javier
J
Buceta
D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004058:Diffusion; D018628:Gene Dosage / Q000235:genetics*; D008954:Models, Biological; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger
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