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Assembly of bipolar microtubule structures by passive cross-linkers and molecular motors

D. Johann, D. Goswami, and K. Kruse
Phys. Rev. E 93, 062415 – Published 24 June 2016

Abstract

During cell division, sister chromatids are segregated by the mitotic spindle, a bipolar assembly of interdigitating antiparallel polar filaments called microtubules. The spindle contains the midzone, a stable region of overlapping antiparallel microtubules, that is essential for maintaining bipolarity. Although a lot is known about the molecular players involved, the mechanism underlying midzone formation and maintenance is still poorly understood. We study the interaction of polar filaments that are cross-linked by molecular motors moving directionally and by passive cross-linkers diffusing along microtubules. Using a particle-based stochastic model, we find that the interplay of motors and passive cross-linkers can generate a stable finite overlap between a pair of antiparallel polar filaments. We develop a mean-field theory to study this mechanism in detail and investigate the influence of steric interactions between motors and passive cross-linkers on the overlap dynamics. In the presence of interspecies steric interactions, passive cross-linkers mimic the behavior of molecular motors and stable finite overlaps are generated even for non-cross-linking motors. Finally, we develop a mean-field theory for a bundle of aligned polar filaments and show that they can self-organize into a spindlelike pattern. Our work suggests possible ways as to how cells can generate spindle midzones and control their extensions.

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  • Received 2 February 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.93.062415

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

  1. Research Areas
  1. Physical Systems
Physics of Living Systems

Authors & Affiliations

D. Johann, D. Goswami*, and K. Kruse

  • Theoretische Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, Postfach 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany

  • *Present address: International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru North - 560 089, India.
  • Corresponding author: k.kruse@physik.uni-saarland.de

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Issue

Vol. 93, Iss. 6 — June 2016

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