Abstract
A complete gene expression reaction is reconstituted in a cell-free system comprising the entire endogenous transcription, translation, as well as mRNA and protein degradation machinery of E. coli. In dissecting the major reaction steps, we derive a coarse-grained enzymatic description of biosynthesis and degradation, from which ten relevant rate constants and concentrations are determined. Governed by zeroth-order degradation, protein expression follows a sharp transition from undetectable levels to constant-rate accumulation, without reaching steady state.
- Received 10 September 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.048104
© 2011 American Physical Society
Viewpoint
Breaking down complexity
Published 24 January 2011
Building simplified genetic networks in a test tube could help us better understand biological systems.
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