Dynamic concentration of motors in microtubule arrays

Phys Rev Lett. 2001 Apr 2;86(14):3192-5. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.3192.

Abstract

We present experimental and theoretical studies of the dynamics of molecular motors in microtubule arrays and asters. By solving a convection-diffusion equation we find that the density profile of motors in a two-dimensional aster is characterized by continuously varying exponents. Simulations are used to verify the assumptions of the continuum model. We observe the concentration profiles of kinesin moving in quasi-two-dimensional artificial asters by fluorescent microscopy and compare with our theoretical results.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / chemistry
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Diffusion
  • Kinesins / chemistry*
  • Kinesins / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microtubules / chemistry*
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Models, Chemical*

Substances

  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Kinesins