title: Functional requirements of cellular differentiation: lessons from Bacillus subtilis.
abstract: Successful execution of differentiation programs requires cells to assess multitudes of internal and external cues and respond with appropriate gene expression programs. Here, we review how Bacillus subtilis sporulation network deals with these tasks focusing on the lessons generalizable to other systems. With feedforward loops controlling both production and activation of downstream transcriptional regulators, cells achieve ultrasensitive threshold-like responses. The arrangement of sporulation network genes on the chromosome and transcriptional feedback loops allow coordination of sporulation decision with DNA-replication. Furthermore, to assess the starvation conditions without sensing specific metabolites, cells respond to changes in their growth rates with increased activity of sporulation master regulator. These design features of the sporulation network enable cells to robustly decide between vegetative growth and sporulation.
authors: Department of Bioengineering and Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, United States.
authors: Jatin
authors: J
authors: Narula
authors: Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, United States.
authors: Masaya
authors: M
authors: Fujita
authors: Department of Bioengineering and Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, United States. Electronic address: igoshin@rice.edu.
authors: Oleg A
authors: OA
authors: Igoshin
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors