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Traffic by Small Teams of Molecular Motors

In: Traffic and Granular Flow ’07

Author

Listed:
  • Melanie J. I. Müller

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm
    University of California San Diego, Center for Theoretical Biological Physics)

  • Janina Beeg

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm
    University of California San Diego, Center for Theoretical Biological Physics)

  • Rumiana Dimova

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm
    University of California San Diego, Center for Theoretical Biological Physics)

  • Stefan Klumpp

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm
    University of California San Diego, Center for Theoretical Biological Physics)

  • Reinhard Lipowsky

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Science Park Golm
    University of California San Diego, Center for Theoretical Biological Physics)

Abstract

Summary Molecular motors transport various cargos along cytoskeletal filaments, analogous to trucks on roads. In contrast to vehicles, however, molecular motors do not work alone but in small teams. We describe a simple model for the transport of a cargo by one team of motors and by two teams of motors, which walk into opposite directions. The cooperation of one team of motors generates long-range transport, which we observed experimentally in vitro. Transport by two teams of motors leads to a variety of bidirectional motility behaviour and to dynamic instabilities reminiscent of spontaneous symmetry breaking. We also discuss how cargo transport by teams of motors allows the cell to generate robust long-range bidirectional transport.

Suggested Citation

  • Melanie J. I. Müller & Janina Beeg & Rumiana Dimova & Stefan Klumpp & Reinhard Lipowsky, 2009. "Traffic by Small Teams of Molecular Motors," Springer Books, in: Cécile Appert-Rolland & François Chevoir & Philippe Gondret & Sylvain Lassarre & Jean-Patrick Lebacq (ed.), Traffic and Granular Flow ’07, pages 695-700, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-540-77074-9_78
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-77074-9_78
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