Abstract
Length regulation of microtubules (MTs) is essential for many cellular processes. Molecular motors like kinesin-8, which move along MTs and also act as depolymerases, are known as key players in MT dynamics. However, the regulatory mechanisms of length control remain elusive. Here, we investigate a stochastic model accounting for the interplay between polymerization kinetics and motor-induced depolymerization. We determine the dependence of MT length and variance on rate constants and motor concentration. Moreover, our analyses reveal how collective phenomena lead to a well-defined MT length.
- Received 5 March 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.258104
© 2012 American Physical Society
Focus
How Cells Regulate the Length of Filaments
Published 22 June 2012
Models show how the length of filaments in cells can be tightly controlled by balancing continual growth with shrinkage caused by molecular motors.
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