Min Proteins for Max Efficiency During Cell Division

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The Min protein system prevents abnormal cell division in bacteria by forming oscillating patterns between the ends of a cell (“poles”). Despite decades of theoretical work, predicting the protein concentrations at which oscillations start and whether cells can maintain them under different conditions has been a challenge. Understanding these thresholds is important because they reveal how efficient this self-organizing system is in guiding division to the right place.

UC San Diego researchers have engineered Escherichia coli cells to independently control Min protein expression levels. In their work, the team was able to show that oscillations were stable across a wide range of concentrations, with E. coli producing only the minimal necessary amounts while maintaining a constant oscillation wavelength.