Molecular transport modulates the adaptive response of branched actin networks to an external force

Actin networks are an integral part of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells and play an essential role in determining cellular shape and movement. Understanding the underlying mechanism of actin network assembly is of fundamental importance. We developed in this work a minimal motility model and performed stochastic simulations to study mechanical regulation of the growth dynamics of lamellipodia-like branched actin networks, characterized by various force-velocity relations. In such networks, the treadmilling process leads to a concentration gradient of G-actin, and thus G-actin transport is essential to effective actin network assembly. We first explore how capping protein modulates force-velocity relations and then discuss how actin transport due to diffusion and facilitated transport such as advective flow tunes the growth dynamics of the branched actin network. Our work demonstrates the important role of molecular transport in determining the adaptive response of the actin network to an external force.