Cell-to-cell diversity in protein levels driven by a tetracycline inducible promoter
Author Information
Author(s): Smolander Olli-Pekka, Kandhavelu Meenakshisundaram, Mannerström Henrik, Lihavainen Eero, Kalaichelvan Shanmugapriya, Healy Shannon, Yli-Harja Olli, Karp Matti, Ribeiro Andre S
Primary Institution: Tampere University of Technology
Hypothesis
The variability in the duration of the promoter open complex formation affects the dynamics of RNA production and cell-to-cell diversity in protein levels.
Conclusion
The study suggests that the variability in the duration of the open complex formation of the tetracycline inducible promoter significantly influences RNA production dynamics and increases cell-to-cell diversity in protein levels.
Supporting Evidence
- The Fano factor of protein levels increased with induction strength, indicating higher variability.
- Measurements showed that the distribution of GFP levels changed significantly with higher induction levels.
- Stochastic models were used to compare the observed data with expected distributions.
Takeaway
This study found that when bacteria are induced to produce a protein, the time it takes for the process to start can vary a lot, which leads to differences in how much protein each bacterium makes.
Methodology
The study involved measuring GFP levels in single E. coli cells under varying induction strengths using a tetracycline inducible promoter.
Limitations
The variability of the promoter open complex duration is not fully characterized, and the study primarily focuses on a single gene in E. coli.
Participant Demographics
E. coli bacterial strains were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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