Cytoskeletal Polymer Networks: Viscoelastic Properties are Determined by the Microscopic Interaction Potential of Cross-links

Although the structure of cross-linking molecules mainly determines the structural organization of actin filaments and with that the static elastic properties of the cytoskeleton, it is largely unknown how the biochemical characteristics of transiently cross-linking proteins (actin-binding proteins...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biophysical journal 2009-06, Vol.96 (11), p.4725-4732
Main Authors: Lieleg, O., Schmoller, K.M., Claessens, M.M.A.E., Bausch, A.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actins - chemistry
Animals
Cell Biophysics
Elasticity
Microfilament Proteins - chemistry
Models, Chemical
Muscle, Skeletal - chemistry
Myosin Subfragments - chemistry
Rabbits
Rheology
Temperature
Viscoelastic Substances - chemistry
Viscosity
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Summary:Although the structure of cross-linking molecules mainly determines the structural organization of actin filaments and with that the static elastic properties of the cytoskeleton, it is largely unknown how the biochemical characteristics of transiently cross-linking proteins (actin-binding proteins (ABPs)) affect the viscoelasticity of actin networks. In this study, we show that the macroscopic network response of reconstituted actin networks can be traced back to the microscopic interaction potential of an individual actin/ABP bond. The viscoelastic response of cross-linked actin networks is set by the cross-linker off-rate, the binding energy, and the characteristic bond length of individual actin/ABP interactions.
ISSN:0006-3495
1542-0086
DOI:10.1016/j.bpj.2009.03.038