Stochastic simulations of cargo transport by processive molecular motors

We use stochastic computer simulations to study the transport of a spherical cargo particle along a microtubule-like track on a planar substrate by several kinesin-like processive motors. Our newly developed adhesive motor dynamics algorithm combines the numerical integration of a Langevin equation...

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Hauptverfasser: Korn, Christian B. (VerfasserIn) , Schwarz, Ulrich S. (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 31 December 2009
In: The journal of chemical physics
Year: 2009, Jahrgang: 131, Heft: 24
ISSN:1089-7690
DOI:10.1063/1.3279305
Online-Zugang:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3279305
Verlag, Volltext: http://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.3279305
Volltext
Verfasserangaben:Christian B. Korn, Stefan Klumpp, Reinhard Lipowsky, and Ulrich S. Schwarz
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:We use stochastic computer simulations to study the transport of a spherical cargo particle along a microtubule-like track on a planar substrate by several kinesin-like processive motors. Our newly developed adhesive motor dynamics algorithm combines the numerical integration of a Langevin equation for the motion of a sphere with kinetic rules for the molecular motors. The Langevin part includes diffusive motion, the action of the pulling motors, and hydrodynamic interactions between sphere and wall. The kinetic rules for the motors include binding to and unbinding from the filament as well as active motor steps. We find that the simulated mean transport length increases exponentially with the number of bound motors, in good agreement with earlier results. The number of motors in binding range to the motor track fluctuates in time with a Poissonian distribution, both for springs and cables being used as models for the linker mechanics. Cooperativity in the sense of equal load sharing only occurs for high values for viscosity and attachment time.
Beschreibung:Gesehen am 08.12.2017
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:1089-7690
DOI:10.1063/1.3279305