E. coli competence
toms at fcsparc6.ncifcrf.gov
Mon Sep 26 12:36:07 EST 1994
In article <35urfl$juf at charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
aottolen at magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Abramo C Ottolenghi) writes:
| Although the idea of cell to cell communication is interesting I do not believe
| it is relevant to the discussion relating to E. coli competence as described in
| the paper in question. If competence is due to cell to cell communication how
| can the drop in competence that is seen when cell densities increase from 0.94
| to 1.0 be explained?
One would also have to explain the valley between the two peaks. A simple
explanation is that there are two different mechanisms that operate at
different concentrations of cells or communication molecule. Each peaks at a
different concentration (for some physiological/evolutionary reason). One
could imagine that there was originally only one mechanism and that there was a
gene duplication and drift. Why there are two is mysterious.
Of course one might imagine more complex explanations based on, for example,
differential equations that come out to a sine wave.
National Cancer Institute
Laboratory of Mathematical Biology
Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201
toms at ncifcrf.gov
More information about the Microbio