Frequency-dependent Escherichia coli chemotaxis behavior

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 Mar 23;108(12):128101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.128101. Epub 2012 Mar 23.

Abstract

We study Escherichia coli chemotaxis behavior in environments with spatially and temporally varying attractant sources by developing a unique microfluidic system. Our measurements reveal a frequency-dependent chemotaxis behavior. At low frequency, the E. coli population oscillates in synchrony with the attractant. In contrast, in fast-changing environments, the population response becomes smaller and out of phase with the attractant waveform. These observations are inconsistent with the well-known Keller-Segel chemotaxis equation. A new continuum model is proposed to describe the population level behavior of E. coli chemotaxis based on the underlying pathway dynamics. With the inclusion of a finite adaptation time and an attractant consumption rate, our model successfully explains the microfluidic experiments at different stimulus frequencies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspartic Acid / pharmacology
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Chemotaxis / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques
  • Models, Biological
  • N-Methylaspartate / analogs & derivatives
  • N-Methylaspartate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Aspartic Acid
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • 2-methylaspartic acid