Competition between multiple totally asymmetric simple exclusion processes for a finite pool of resources

L. Jonathan Cook, R. K. P. Zia, and B. Schmittmann

Phys. Rev. E 80, 031142 – Published 28 September 2009

Abstract

Using Monte Carlo simulations and a domain-wall theory, we discuss the effect of coupling several totally asymmetric simple exclusion processes (TASEPs) to a finite reservoir of particles. This simple model mimics directed biological transport processes in the presence of finite resources such as protein synthesis limited by a finite pool of ribosomes. If all TASEPs have equal length, we find behavior which is analogous to a single TASEP coupled to a finite pool. For the more generic case of chains with different lengths, several unanticipated regimes emerge. A generalized domain-wall theory captures our findings in good agreement with simulation results.