Length control of microtubules by depolymerizing molecular motors

Govindan, B. S. ; Gopalakrishnan, M. ; Chowdhury, D. (2008) Length control of microtubules by depolymerizing molecular motors Europhysics Letters, 83 (4). 40006_1- 40006_7. ISSN 0295-5075

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Official URL: http://iopscience.iop.org/0295-5075/83/4/40006;jse...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/83/40006

Abstract

In many intracellular processes, the length distribution of microtubules is controlled by depolymerizing motor proteins. Experiments have shown that, following non-specific binding to the surface of a microtubule, depolymerizers are transported to the microtubule tip(s) by diffusion or directed walk and, then, depolymerize the microtubule from the tip(s) after accumulating there. We develop a quantitative model to study the depolymerizing action of such a generic motor protein, and its possible effects on the length distribution of microtubules. We show that, when the motor protein concentration in solution exceeds a critical value, a steady state is reached where the length distribution is, in general, non-monotonic with a single peak. However, for highly processive motors and large motor densities, this distribution effectively becomes an exponential decay. Our findings suggest that such motor proteins may be selectively used by the cell to ensure precise control of MT lengths. The model is also used to analyze experimental observations of motor-induced depolymerization.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to EDP Sciences.
ID Code:8061
Deposited On:25 Oct 2010 10:12
Last Modified:16 May 2016 18:08

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