Controlling spatiotemporal pattern formation in a concentration gradient with a synthetic toggle switch

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License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_6CD3635A3577
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
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Publications
Institution
Title
Controlling spatiotemporal pattern formation in a concentration gradient with a synthetic toggle switch
Journal
bioRxiv
Author(s)
Içvara Barbier, Rubén Perez Carrasco, Yolanda Schaerli
Publication state
Published
Issued date
21/11/2019
Language
english
Abstract
The formation of spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression is frequently guided by gradients of diffusible signaling molecules. The toggle switch subnetwork, composed of two cross-repressing transcription factors, is a common component of gene regulatory networks in charge of patterning, converting the continuous information provided by the gradient into discrete abutting stripes of gene expression. We present a synthetic biology framework to understand and characterize the spatiotemporal patterning properties of the toggle switch. To this end, we built a synthetic toggle switch controllable by diffusible molecules in Escherichia coli. We analyzed the patterning capabilities of the circuit by combining quantitative measurements with a mathematical reconstruction of the underlying dynamical system. The toggle switch can produce robust patterns with sharp boundaries, governed by bistability and hysteresis. We further demonstrate how the hysteresis, position, timing, and precision of the boundary can be controlled, highlighting the dynamical flexibility of the circuit.
Open Access
Yes
Create date
08/01/2020 15:39
Last modification date
09/01/2020 7:09
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