Chemotaxis receptor complexes: From signaling to assembly
2007

Chemotaxis Receptor Complexes: From Signaling to Assembly

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Robert G Endres, Joseph J Falke, Ned S Wingreen

Primary Institution: Princeton University

Hypothesis

What controls the size of receptor complexes in bacterial chemotaxis?

Conclusion

The study proposes a model suggesting that the size of receptor complexes is influenced by receptor modification, ligand binding, and interactions with kinases.

Supporting Evidence

  • The model compares favorably with various signaling data.
  • Receptor activity can be used to probe complex size.
  • The kinetics of receptor-cluster assembly can be measured experimentally.

Takeaway

Bacteria use special proteins to sense their environment, and this study looks at how these proteins group together to work better.

Methodology

The study uses in vitro signaling data to model the distribution of receptor complex sizes and analyzes dose-response curves.

Limitations

Direct experimental visualization of receptor complexes is difficult due to current imaging limitations.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030150

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication