Segregation of diffusible and directionally moving particles on a polar filament.
Directed transport in living cells relies on the action of motor proteins. These enzymes can transform chemical energy into mechanical work and move directionally along filamentous tracks. At the same time, these filaments serve as a substrate for the binding of proteins performing other functions, but that also obstruct the motors' motion. Motivated by the mobile cross-linker Ase1, we theoretically study a system of molecular motors in the presence of diffusible particles. Both the motors and the obstacles shuttle between the filament and its surrounding. Numerical simulations of this system show a segregation between motors and obstacles if the filament ends act as diffusion barriers for the obstacles. A phenomenological mean-field theory captures the essential effects observed in the simulations.
Theoretische Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, Postfach 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany.
D
D
Johann
Theoretische Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, Postfach 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany.
D
D
Goswami
Theoretische Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, Postfach 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany.
K
K
Kruse
D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004058:Diffusion; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D009038:Motion
D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins