https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510051150
A model for the self-organization of microtubules driven by molecular motors
1
Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
2
Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Fisica Teorica, Via Celoria 16, 20123
Milano, Italy
3
Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20123 Milano, Italy
Received:
4
August
1999
Revised:
24
November
1999
Published online: 15 June 2000
We propose a two-dimensional model for the organization of stabilized microtubules driven by molecular motors in an unconfined geometry. In this model two kinds of dynamics are competing. The first one is purely diffusive, with an interaction between the rotational degrees of freedom, while the second one is a local drive, dependent on microtubule polarity. As a result, there is a configuration dependent driving field. Applying a molecular field approximation, we are able to derive continuum equations. A study on the solutions of these equations shows non-equilibrium inhomogeneous steady states in various regions of the parameter space. The presence and stability of such self-organized states are investigated in terms of entropy production. Numerical simulations confirm our analytic results.
PACS: 05.65.+b – Self-organized systems / 64.60.Cn – Order-disorder transformations; statistical mechanics of model systems / 87.16.Ka – Filaments, microtubules, their networks, and supramolecular assemblies
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2000
