Thermal torsion of F-actin

J Theor Biol. 1985 Dec 7;117(3):489-92. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5193(85)80156-9.

Abstract

The equipartition theorem is used to calculate the mode amplitudes for F-actin thermal torsion. The amplitudes phi n are found to scale as n-1, (EI)-1/2, and L1/2, where n is mode number, EI is actin bending stiffness, and L is filament length. Depending on conditions, the amplitude can be as large as 15 degrees; this is discussed briefly in terms of skeletal muscle mechanics.

MeSH terms

  • Actins*
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Mathematics
  • Models, Biological
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscles / physiology*
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Actins