Molecular model of the contractile ring

We present a model for the actin contractile ring of adherent animal cells. The model suggests that the actin concentration within the ring and consequently the power that the ring exerts both increase during contraction. We demonstrate the crucial role of actin polymerization and depolymerization t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 95; no. 9; p. 098102
Main Authors Biron, D, Alvarez-Lacalle, E, Tlusty, T, Moses, E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 26.08.2005
Subjects
Actins - physiology
Animals
Cell Adhesion - physiology
Cell Membrane - physiology
Computer Simulation
Cytokinesis - physiology
Cytoskeleton - physiology
Dictyostelium - cytology
Models, Biological
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Summary:We present a model for the actin contractile ring of adherent animal cells. The model suggests that the actin concentration within the ring and consequently the power that the ring exerts both increase during contraction. We demonstrate the crucial role of actin polymerization and depolymerization throughout cytokinesis, and the dominance of viscous dissipation in the dynamics. The physical origin of two phases in cytokinesis dynamics ("biphasic cytokinesis") follows from a limitation on the actin density. The model is consistent with a wide range of measurements of the midzone of dividing animal cells.
ISSN:0031-9007
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.098102