Fraction of protein synthesis capacity that is dedicated to making the machinery needed for further translation

Range growth in rich media 41% in minimal media 21% %
Organism Bacteria Escherichia coli
Reference Li GW, Burkhardt D, Gross C, Weissman JS. Quantifying absolute protein synthesis rates reveals principles underlying allocation of cellular resources. Cell. 2014 Apr 24 157(3):624-35. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.02.033. p.630 right column 2nd paragraphPubMed ID24766808
Comments "Because the large majority of proteins are stable in E. coli (Larrabee et al., 1980), [researchers'] protein synthesis rate data provide a comprehensive view of proteome composition, allowing [them] to probe how cells allocate resources (Figure 5). By far, the largest fraction of the protein synthesis capacity is dedicated to making the machinery needed for further translation (41% for growth in rich media and 21% in minimal media), whereas transcription-related proteins account for only 5%. This disparity illustrates the importance of understanding the translational control systems that allow cells to allocate their translational capacity. The ability to monitor the partitioning of protein synthesis capacity under different conditions will provide a critical tool for quantitative characterization of cellular physiology."
Entered by Uri M
ID 110444