Dendritic actin filament nucleation causes traveling waves and patches.
The polymerization of actin via branching at a cell membrane containing nucleation-promoting factors is simulated using a stochastic-growth methodology. The polymerized-actin distribution displays three types of behavior: (a) traveling waves, (b) moving patches, and (c) random fluctuations. Increasing actin concentration causes a transition from patches to waves. The waves and patches move by a treadmilling mechanism not involving myosin II. The effects of downregulation of key proteins on actin wave behavior are evaluated.
Carlsson
Anders E
AE
Department of Physics, Washington University, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1105, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009068:Movement; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary
D000199:Actins; D050091:Dendrimers