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Motor-driven microtubule diffusion in a photobleached dynamical coordinate system.

Soichi Hirokawa1, Heun Jin Lee1, Rachel A Banks2

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
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Active matter systems exhibit collective organization. This study reveals motor-driven network contraction accompanied by slow, diffusive-like internal redistribution within the bulk.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Active matter systems demonstrate emergent organization from individual components.
  • Internal dynamics within the bulk of active matter networks remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the internal redistribution and deformation within a contracting microtubule network.
  • To quantify the interplay between advection and diffusion in active matter systems.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized light-dimerizable kinesin motors to control microtubule network formation and contraction.
  • Employed photobleaching to create a dynamic coordinate system for observing network deformation.
  • Measured the effective diffusion constant and diffusive timescale within the bulk network.

Main Results:

  • Network contraction rate is dictated by motor speed.
  • Observed diffusive-like redistribution within the bulk, with an effective diffusion constant two orders of magnitude lower than free diffusion.
  • Diffusive timescale is only a factor of ≈3 slower than advection on micron scales.

Conclusions:

  • Both global contraction and long-time relaxation are motor-driven processes.
  • Local competition exists within the network bulk, influencing diffusive behavior.
  • The study provides insights into the complex internal dynamics of active matter networks.