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| A synthetic oscillatory network of transcriptional regulators |
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| Author(s): Elowitz MB, Leibler S |
| Source: NATURE Volume: 403 Issue: 6767 Pages: 335-338 Published: JAN 20 2000 |
| Times Cited: 780 References: 20 |
| Abstract: Networks of interacting biomolecules carry out many essential functions in living cells(1), but the 'design principles' underlying the functioning of such intracellular networks remain poorly understood, despite intensive efforts including quantitative analysis of relatively simple systems(2). Here we present a complementary approach to this problem: the design and construction of a synthetic network to implement a particular function. We used three transcriptional repressor systems that are not part of any natural biological clock(3-5) to build an oscillating network, termed the repressilator, in Escherichia coli. The network periodically induces the synthesis of green fluorescent protein as a readout of its state in individual cells. The resulting oscillations, with typical periods of hours, are slower than the cell-division cycle, so the state of the oscillator has to be transmitted from generation to generation. This artificial clock displays noisy behaviour, possibly because of stochastic fluctuations of its components. Such 'rational network design' may lead both to the engineering of new cellular behaviours and to an improved understanding of naturally occurring networks. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Elowitz, MB (reprint author), Princeton Univ, Dept Mol Biol, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA |
Addresses:
1. Princeton Univ, Dept Mol Biol, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA
2. Princeton Univ, Dept Phys, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA |
| Publisher: MACMILLAN MAGAZINES LTD, PORTERS SOUTH, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND |
| Subject Category: Multidisciplinary Sciences |
| IDS Number: 276VU |
| ISSN: 0028-0836 |
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