Pattern formation of microtubules and motors: inelastic interaction of polar rods.
We derive a model describing spatiotemporal organization of an array of microtubules interacting via molecular motors. Starting from a stochastic model of inelastic polar rods with a generic anisotropic interaction kernel we obtain a set of equations for the local rods concentration and orientation. At large enough mean density of rods and concentration of motors, the model describes orientational instability. We demonstrate that the orientational instability leads to the formation of vortices and (for large density and/or kernel anisotropy) asters seen in recent experiments.
Aranson
Igor S
IS
Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
Tsimring
Lev S
LS
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D009038:Motion; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D055672:Static Electricity; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes