Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks
The structural integrity of a cell depends on its cytoskeleton, which includes an actin network. This network is transient and depends upon the continual polymerization and depolymerization of actin. The degradation of an actin network, and a corresponding reduction in cell stiffness, can indicate t...
| Format: | Article |
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| Language: | English |
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Budapest University of Technology
2009-09-01
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| Series: | eXPRESS Polymer Letters |
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| Online Access: | http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0001021&mi=cd |
| _version_ | 1819041224443559936 |
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| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The structural integrity of a cell depends on its cytoskeleton, which includes an actin network. This network is transient and depends upon the continual polymerization and depolymerization of actin. The degradation of an actin network, and a corresponding reduction in cell stiffness, can indicate the presence of disease. Numerical simulations will be invaluable for understanding the physics of these systems and the correlation between actin dynamics and elasticity. Here we develop a model that is capable of generating actin network structures. In particular, we develop a model of actin dynamics which considers the polymerization, depolymerization, nucleation, severing, and capping of actin filaments. The structures obtained are then fed directly into a mechanical model. This allows us to qualitatively assess the effects of changing various parameters associated with actin dynamics on the elasticity of the material. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T09:21:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0441d8a49fea4abdb8b06887b0b953aa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1788-618X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T09:21:36Z |
| publishDate | 2009-09-01 |
| publisher | Budapest University of Technology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | eXPRESS Polymer Letters |
| spelling | doaj.art-0441d8a49fea4abdb8b06887b0b953aa2022-12-21T19:09:00ZengBudapest University of TechnologyeXPRESS Polymer Letters1788-618X2009-09-013957958710.3144/expresspolymlett.2009.72Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networksThe structural integrity of a cell depends on its cytoskeleton, which includes an actin network. This network is transient and depends upon the continual polymerization and depolymerization of actin. The degradation of an actin network, and a corresponding reduction in cell stiffness, can indicate the presence of disease. Numerical simulations will be invaluable for understanding the physics of these systems and the correlation between actin dynamics and elasticity. Here we develop a model that is capable of generating actin network structures. In particular, we develop a model of actin dynamics which considers the polymerization, depolymerization, nucleation, severing, and capping of actin filaments. The structures obtained are then fed directly into a mechanical model. This allows us to qualitatively assess the effects of changing various parameters associated with actin dynamics on the elasticity of the material.http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0001021&mi=cdModeling and simulationBiopolymersActin networksCytoskeleton |
| spellingShingle | Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks eXPRESS Polymer Letters Modeling and simulation Biopolymers Actin networks Cytoskeleton |
| title | Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks |
| title_full | Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks |
| title_fullStr | Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks |
| title_short | Actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks |
| title_sort | actin dynamics and the elasticity of cytoskeletal networks |
| topic | Modeling and simulation Biopolymers Actin networks Cytoskeleton |
| url | http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0001021&mi=cd |