Elasticity of Semiflexible Biopolymer Networks

F. C. MacKintosh; J. Käs; P. A. Janmey

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.4425

Elasticity of Semiflexible Biopolymer Networks

F. C. MacKintosh, J. Käs, and P. A. Janmey

Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 4425 – Published 11 December 1995

Abstract

We develop a model for cross-linked gels and sterically entangled solutions of semiflexible biopolymers such as F-actin. Such networks play a crucial structural role in the cytoskeleton of cells. We show that the rheologic properties of these networks can result from nonclassical rubber elasticity. This model can explain a number of elastic properties of such networks in vitro, including the concentration dependence of the storage modulus and yield strain.

Received 10 July 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.4425

Authors & Affiliations

F. C. MacKintosh^1,2, J. Käs^1,3, and P. A. Janmey^1,3

¹Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-4030
²Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1120
³Division of Experimental Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115