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Propagation of localized bending deformations in microtubules
Author(s) -
Tuszyński J. A.,
Portet S.,
Dixon J. M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pamm
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1617-7061
DOI - 10.1002/pamm.200700860
Subject(s) - kinetic energy , bending , physics , microtubule , thermal , sine , mechanics , classical mechanics , thermodynamics , geometry , mathematics , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract A continuum medium model is proposed describing a microtubule (MT) as an elastic rod. When the MT is subjected to a constant bending force, the dynamics of the angular deviation, with respect to the MT's rectilinear configuration, is governed by a Sine‐Gordon equation. Particular analytical solutions are kink and anti‐kink bending modes which may propagate at various speeds along the MT's length. Kinetic energies of these modes compare with thermal and ATP hydrolysis energies. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)