title: Mechanics and dynamics of reconstituted cytoskeletal systems.
abstract: The intracellular cytoskeleton is an active dynamic network of filaments and associated binding proteins that control key cellular properties, such as cell shape and mechanics. Due to the inherent complexity of the cell, reconstituted model systems have been successfully employed to gain an understanding of the fundamental physics governing cytoskeletal processes. Here, we review recent advances and key aspects of these reconstituted systems. We focus on the importance of assembly kinetics and dynamic arrest in determining network mechanics, and highlight novel emergent behavior occurring through interactions between cytoskeletal components in more complex networks incorporating multiple biopolymers and molecular motors.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. Electronic address: mjensen@seas.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Mikkel H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Eliza J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Weitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002474:Cell-Free System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008956:Models, Chemical
keywords: Actin; Active soft matter; Biopolymer rheology; Composite networks; Cytoskeleton; Dynamic arrest