Min Protein Oscillations in E. coli

MinD/MinE reaction-diffusion finds cell midpoint for division plane




MinD (ATP) binds membrane cooperatively, recruits MinE which stimulates MinD ATPase → dissociation. Spatial competition creates pole-to-pole oscillations (period ~40s). Time-averaged MinD concentration is minimum at midcell → FtsZ ring placement. Turing-like instability.