Fraction of bacterial cytoplasm occupied by macromolecules

Range 20 - 40 %
Organism bacteria
Reference Parry BR et al. (2014) The bacterial cytoplasm has glass-like properties and is fluidized by metabolic activity. Cell 156: 183–94. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.11.028. p.187 right column 2nd paragraphPubMed ID24361104
Primary Source Cayley, S., Lewis, B.A., Guttman, H.J., and Record, M.T., Jr. (1991). Characterization of the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli K-12 as a function of external osmolarity. Implications for protein-DNA interactions in vivo. J. Mol. Biol. 222, 281–300 & Zimmerman, S.B., and Trach, S.O. (1991). Estimation of macromolecule concentrations and excluded volume effects for the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. J. Mol. Biol. 222, 599–620.PubMed ID1960728, 1748995
Comments "While measuring crowding inside bacterial cells is technically difficult and is subject to uncertainties, estimates suggest that macromolecules occupy 20%– 40% of the bacterial cytoplasm (primary sources)."
Entered by Uri M
ID 110500