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The mechanism of cell differentiation in Bacillus subtilis

Author

Listed:
  • Dagmar Iber

    (Mathematical Institute, Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Oxford)

  • Joanna Clarkson

    (University of Oxford)

  • Michael D. Yudkin

    (University of Oxford)

  • Iain D. Campbell

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

Genes that speak volumes A key question in developmental biology is how cells containing identical genomes follow different patterns of gene expression. This is reduced to its basics in Bacillus subtilis bacteria. During sporulation, brought on by nutritional stress, B. subtilis divides internally into two compartments destined for different fates. A transcription factor called σF is a key player in the process, and it and the regulators that control it have been studied extensively. The details of how differential gene activation is initiated remain hazy, however. Now a mathematical model that reproduces the in vitro experimental results has been developed. The model identifies the primary trigger for cell fate as the change in the volume ratio between the two cell types, which leads to a change in activity of a key phosphatase (SpoIIE) in one of them.

Suggested Citation

  • Dagmar Iber & Joanna Clarkson & Michael D. Yudkin & Iain D. Campbell, 2006. "The mechanism of cell differentiation in Bacillus subtilis," Nature, Nature, vol. 441(7091), pages 371-374, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:441:y:2006:i:7091:d:10.1038_nature04666
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04666
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