Footprints of Optimal Protein Assembly Strategies in the Operonic Structure of Prokaryotes

Metabolites

Jan Ewald¹  Martin Kötzing¹  Martin Bartl¹  Christoph Kaleta¹ 

[1] Research Group Theoretical Systems Biology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany; E-Mails:

关键词: protein assembly;    dynamic optimization;    optimal control;    operon formation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/metabo5020252

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

In this work, we investigate optimality principles behind synthesis strategies for protein complexes using a dynamic optimization approach. We show that the cellular capacity of protein synthesis has a strong influence on optimal synthesis strategies reaching from a simultaneous to a sequential synthesis of the subunits of a protein complex. Sequential synthesis is preferred if protein synthesis is strongly limited, whereas a simultaneous synthesis is optimal in situations with a high protein synthesis capacity. We confirm the predictions of our optimization approach through the analysis of the operonic organization of protein complexes in several hundred prokaryotes. Thereby, we are able to show that cellular protein synthesis capacity is a driving force in the dissolution of operons comprising the subunits of a protein complex. Thus, we also provide a tested hypothesis explaining why the subunits of many prokaryotic protein complexes are distributed across several operons despite the presumably less precise co-regulation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland