Self-organization of polymer-motor systems in the cytoskeleton.
Microtubules and actin filaments are organized into dynamic arrays inside cells. In this paper I discuss in conceptual form the assembly mechanisms of three specific arrays: asters, spindles and leading edge structures. The role of energy transducing processes, particularly motor protein activity, in assembly is explored. I conclude that dynamic interaction between motor proteins and cytoskeletal polymers play a very general role in spatial organization of the cytoplasm.
Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0450.
T J
TJ
Mitchison
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins