Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5032277 | Journal of Biomechanics | 2016 | 21 Pages |
Abstract
This paper aims to identify the role of the inter-protofilament (PF) sliding in the bending of microtubules (MTs). A molecular structural model (MSM) was employed to study the dependence of bending on the inter-PF bonds. It was found that the inter-PF bonds serve as an angle spring that controls the inter-PF sliding during the bending. When the angle spring is soft inter-PF sliding occurs leading to the length-dependent bending stiffness of MTs. Such a size dependent bending stiffness may also affect the vibration and buckling behavior of MTs where bending deformation is predominant.
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Physical Sciences and Engineering
Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Authors
Chengyuan Wang, Zhigang Guo, Ruijie Wang, Ying Luo,