Collective alignment of polar filaments by molecular motors

• Verfasst von: Ziebert, Falko [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Vershinin, Michael [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Gross, Steven P. [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Aranson, Igor S. [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Collective alignment of polar filaments by molecular motors
• Verf.angabe: F. Ziebert, M. Vershinin, S.P. Gross, and I.S. Aranson
• E-Jahr: 2009
• Jahr: 14 January 2009
• Umfang: 9 S.
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 23.09.2022
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: The European physical journal / E
• Ort Quelle: Berlin : Springer, 2000
• Jahr Quelle: 2009
• Band/Heft Quelle: 28(2009), 4, Seite 401-409
• ISSN Quelle: 1292-895X
• DOI: doi:10.1140/epje/i2008-10434-0
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: 05.65.+b Self-organized systems
• Sach-SW: 87.16.-b Subcellular structure and processes
• Sach-SW: 87.16.Nn Motor proteins (myosin, kinesin dynein)
• K10plus-PPN: 1807851842

Abstract

We study the alignment of polar biofilaments, such as microtubules and actin, subject to the action of multiple molecular motors attached simultaneously to more than one filament. Focusing on a paradigm model of only two filaments interacting with multiple motors, we were able to investigate in detail the alignment dynamics. While almost no alignment occurs in the case of a single motor, the filaments become rapidly aligned due to the collective action of the motors. Our analysis shows that the alignment time is governed by the number of bound motors and the magnitude of the motors’ stepping fluctuations. We predict that the time scale of alignment is in the order of seconds, much faster than that reported for passive crosslink-induced bundling. In vitro experiments on the alignment of microtubules by multiple-motor covered beads are in qualitative agreement. We also discuss another mode of fast alignment of filaments, namely the cooperation between motors and passive crosslinks.