Kinetics of actin-myosin binding. II. Two-variable model and actin gelation

We consider a model of actin-myosin interaction in which the sites belonging to each seven-site regulated actin unit are subdivided into two classes, "internal" and "external." The time evolution of each class of sites is considered separately, leading to a pair of coupled differential equations that may be integrated numerically. We also consider the critical sol-gel transition point for actin filaments crosslinked by two-headed heavy meromyosin (HMM). The possibility of new types of chemical oscillation and pattern formation arising from periodic sol-gel transitions is discussed.