Mathematical model for the control of ColE1 type plasmid replication.

A mathematical model for the molecular events controlling replication of ColE1 type plasmids is described. All the model parameters can be evaluated independently. The model simulates plasmid replication and accurately predicts the copy-number of ColE1 plasmids carrying a variety of regulatory mutations. The model is used to test the plausibility of hypotheses concerning the interactions of regulatory elements involved in the replication apparatus. The model favorably supports the mechanism proposed by Tomizawa and co-workers concerning the nature of RNA-RNA interactions and that the Rom protein increases the binding between the two RNA species. The hypothesis that the interactions of RNA I-II increases the susceptibility of RNA II to the action of endonucleases is not a plausible mechanism.