Simulation of cyclic dynein-driven sliding, splitting, and reassociation in an outer doublet pair.

ABSTRACT: A regular cycle of dynein-driven sliding, doublet separation, doublet reassociation, and resumption of sliding was previously observed by Aoyama and Kamiya in outer doublet pairs obtained after partial dissociation of Chlamydomonas flagella. In the work presented here, computer programming based on previous simulations of oscillatory bending of microtubules was extended to simulate the cycle of events observed with doublet pairs. These simulations confirm the straightforward explanation of this oscillation by inactivation of dynein when doublets separate and resumption of dynein activity after reassociation. Reassociation is augmented by a dynein-dependent "adhesive force" between the doublets. The simulations used a simple mathematical model to generate velocity-dependent shear force, and

SUBMITTER: Brokaw CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2784567 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature