The emergence of sarcomeric, graded-polarity and spindle-like patterns in bundles of short cytoskeletal polymers and two opposite molecular motors

J Phys Condens Matter. 2011 Sep 21;23(37):374102. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/23/37/374102. Epub 2011 Aug 23.

Abstract

We use linear stability analysis and numerical solutions of partial differential equations to investigate pattern formation in the one-dimensional system of short dynamic polymers and one (plus-end directed) or two (one is plus-end, another minus-end directed) molecular motors. If polymer sliding and motor gliding rates are slow and/or the polymer turnover rate is fast, then the polymer-motor bundle has mixed polarity and homogeneous motor distribution. However, if motor gliding is fast, a sarcomeric pattern with periodic bands of alternating polymer polarity separated by motor aggregates evolves. On the other hand, if polymer sliding is fast, a graded-polarity bundle with motors at the center emerges. In the presence of the second, minus-end directed motor, the sarcomeric pattern is more ubiquitous, while the graded-polarity pattern is destabilized. However, if the minus-end motor is weaker than the plus-end directed one, and/or polymer nucleation is autocatalytic, and/or long polymers are present in the bundle, then a spindle-like architecture with a sorted-out polarity emerges with the plus-end motors at the center and minus-end motors at the edges. We discuss modeling implications for actin-myosin fibers and in vitro and meiotic spindles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Polarity*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / metabolism
  • Meiosis / physiology
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Myosins / metabolism*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Sarcomeres / physiology*
  • Spindle Apparatus / physiology*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Polymers
  • Myosins
  • Kinesins