An approximation by Parrondo games of the Brownian ratchet

AbstractThe FtsZ protein is a central component of the bacterial cell division machinery. It polymerizes at mid-cell and recruits more than 30 proteins to assemble into a macromolecular complex to direct cell wall constriction. FtsZ polymers exhibit treadmilling dynamics, driving the processive movement of enzymes that synthesize septal peptidoglycan (sPG). Here, we combine theoretical modelling with single-molecule imaging of live bacterial cells to show that FtsZ’s treadmilling drives the directional movement of sPG enzymes via a Brownian ratchet mechanism. The processivity of the directional movement depends on the binding potential between FtsZ and the sPG enzyme, and on a balance between the enzyme’s diffusion and FtsZ’s treadmilling speed. We propose that this interplay may provide a mechanism to control the spatiotemporal distribution of active sPG enzymes, explaining the distinct roles of FtsZ treadmilling in modulating cell wall constriction rate observed in different bacteria.

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A Brownian Ratchet Model of Actin Polymerization Motor by using Extended Scaled Particle Theory

10.1063/1.1764147 ◽

2004 ◽

Author(s):

Masayuki Irisa

Keyword(s):

Actin Polymerization ◽

Scaled Particle Theory ◽

Particle Theory ◽

Brownian Ratchet ◽

Ratchet Model

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STOCHASTIC RESONANCE IN A BROWNIAN RATCHET

Fluctuation and Noise Letters ◽

10.1142/s0219477501000494 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 01 (04) ◽

pp. L239-L244 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

ANDREW ALLISON ◽

DEREK ABBOTT

Keyword(s):

Stochastic Resonance ◽

Discrete Time ◽

Brownian Ratchet ◽

Present Evidence ◽

Brownian Ratchets ◽

Flow Of Information ◽

Special Case ◽

Physical Principles

We present evidence to support the idea that Stochastic Resonance (SR) and Brownian Ratchets (BR) share underlying physical principles. We examine the special case of a discrete-time ratchet, called Parrondo's games, and show that the addition of noise increases the rate of flow in the ratchet up to a certain point, after which the addition of further noise causes the rate of flow of decrease. We argue that the rate of flow of particles in a BR is analogous to the rate of flow of information in the case of SR.

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