On the contribution of dynein-like activity to twisting in a three-dimensional sliding filament model

It has been shown (Hines, M., and J. J. Blum, Biophys.J., 1984, 46:559-565) that passive moment-bearing links do not contribute appreciable twist resistance to an axoneme nor do they cause appreciable twisting in response to internal shear forces. We now examine the contribution of active moment-bearing links such as dynein arms to the generation of twist within an axoneme. The dynein model used causes distal sliding of the adjacent doublet by a force dependent on the angle of attachment of the arms. Attachment of the arms occurs at a specified angle relative to the angle of minimum potential energy. The steady state shape consistent with the forces applied by the attached dyneins is computed. It is shown that the twist generated in an active region is counterclockwise as viewed from tip to base and therefore accumulates at the end of the axoneme. For realistic forces and twist resistances, cumulative twist should not exceed a few degrees.