Self-organization of actin filament orientation in the dendritic-nucleation/array-treadmilling model.

ABSTRACT: The dendritic-nucleation/array-treadmilling model provides a conceptual framework for the generation of the actin network driving motile cells. We have incorporated it into a 2D, stochastic computer model to study lamellipodia via the self-organization of filament orientation patterns. Essential dendritic-nucleation submodels were incorporated, including discretized actin monomer diffusion, Monte-Carlo filament kinetics, and flexible filament and plasma membrane mechanics. Model parameters were estimated from the literature and simulation, providing values for the extent of the leading edge-branching/capping-protective zone (5.4 nm) and the autocatalytic branch rate (0.43/sec). For a given set of parameters, the system evolved to a steady-state filament count and velocity, at which total b

SUBMITTER: Schaus TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1855413 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature