The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor
Abstract Many bacteria are propelled by flagellar motors that stochastically switch between the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation direction. Although the switching dynamics is one of their most important characteristics, the mechanisms that control it are poorly understood. We present a statis...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer Nature
2009-10-01
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| Series: | Molecular Systems Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/msb.2009.74 |
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| _version_ | 1849225805455949824 |
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| author | Siebe B van Albada Sorin Tănase‐Nicola Pieter Rein ten Wolde |
| author_facet | Siebe B van Albada Sorin Tănase‐Nicola Pieter Rein ten Wolde |
| author_sort | Siebe B van Albada |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Many bacteria are propelled by flagellar motors that stochastically switch between the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation direction. Although the switching dynamics is one of their most important characteristics, the mechanisms that control it are poorly understood. We present a statistical–mechanical model of the bacterial flagellar motor. At its heart is the assumption that the rotor protein complex, which is connected to the flagellum, can exist in two conformational states and that switching between these states depends on the interactions with the stator proteins, which drive the rotor. This couples switching to rotation, making the switch sensitive to torque and speed. Another key element is that after a switch, it takes time for the load to build up, due to conformational transitions of the flagellum. This slow relaxation dynamics of the filament leads, in combination with the load dependence of the switching frequency, to a characteristic switching time, as recently observed. Hence, our model predicts that the switching dynamics is not only controlled by the chemotaxis‐signaling network, but also by mechanical feedback of the flagellum. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e9d448c2d05442f59daee09f91a255f9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1744-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2009-10-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular Systems Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-e9d448c2d05442f59daee09f91a255f92025-08-24T11:59:23ZengSpringer NatureMolecular Systems Biology1744-42922009-10-01511810.1038/msb.2009.74The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motorSiebe B van Albada0Sorin Tănase‐Nicola1Pieter Rein ten Wolde2FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular PhysicsFOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular PhysicsFOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular PhysicsAbstract Many bacteria are propelled by flagellar motors that stochastically switch between the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation direction. Although the switching dynamics is one of their most important characteristics, the mechanisms that control it are poorly understood. We present a statistical–mechanical model of the bacterial flagellar motor. At its heart is the assumption that the rotor protein complex, which is connected to the flagellum, can exist in two conformational states and that switching between these states depends on the interactions with the stator proteins, which drive the rotor. This couples switching to rotation, making the switch sensitive to torque and speed. Another key element is that after a switch, it takes time for the load to build up, due to conformational transitions of the flagellum. This slow relaxation dynamics of the filament leads, in combination with the load dependence of the switching frequency, to a characteristic switching time, as recently observed. Hence, our model predicts that the switching dynamics is not only controlled by the chemotaxis‐signaling network, but also by mechanical feedback of the flagellum.https://doi.org/10.1038/msb.2009.74bacteriachemotaxisfluctuationsmodelingsupramolecular assemblies |
| spellingShingle | Siebe B van Albada Sorin Tănase‐Nicola Pieter Rein ten Wolde The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor Molecular Systems Biology bacteria chemotaxis fluctuations modeling supramolecular assemblies |
| title | The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor |
| title_full | The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor |
| title_fullStr | The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor |
| title_full_unstemmed | The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor |
| title_short | The switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor |
| title_sort | switching dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor |
| topic | bacteria chemotaxis fluctuations modeling supramolecular assemblies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/msb.2009.74 |
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