Stochastic model for Soj relocation dynamics in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract

The Bacillus subtilis Spo0J/Soj proteins, implicated in chromosome segregation and transcriptional regulation, show striking dynamics: Soj undergoes irregular relocations from pole to pole or nucleoid to nucleoid. Here we report on a mathematical model of the Soj dynamics. Our model, which is closely based on the available experimental data, readily generates dynamic Soj relocations. We show that the irregularity of the relocations may be due to the stochastic nature of the underlying Spo0J/Soj interactions and diffusion. We propose explanations for the behavior of several Spo0J/Soj mutants including the "freezing" of the Soj dynamics observed in filamentous cells. Our approach underlines the importance of incorporating stochastic effects when modelling spatiotemporal protein dynamics inside cells.