Lysogen stability is determined by the frequency of activity bursts from the fate‐determining gene

• DOI: 10.1038/msb.2010.96
• Publication Date: 2010-11-30T15:32:34Z
• Authors: Chenghang Zong; Lok‐hang So; Leonardo A Sepúlveda; Samuel O Skinner; Ido Golding
• Keywords: Lysogen; Lysogenic cycle; Gene regulatory network

The ability of living cells to maintain an inheritable memory their gene‐expression state is key cellular differentiation. Bacterial lysogeny serves as a simple paradigm for long‐term memory. In this study, we address the following question: in absence external perturbation, how long will cell stay lysogenic before spontaneously switching away from that state? We show by direct measurement lysogen stability exhibits exponential dependence on frequency activity bursts fate‐determining gene, cI . quantify these gene‐activity using single‐molecule‐resolution mRNA measurements individual cells, analyzed stochastic mathematical model gene‐network kinetics. quantitative relation between and gene independent fine details regulation, suggesting prediction cell‐state may also be possible more complex systems.