Finding the cell center by a balance of dynein and myosin pulling and microtubule pushing: a computational study.

ABSTRACT: The centrosome position in many types of interphase cells is actively maintained in the cell center. Our previous work indicated that the centrosome is kept at the center by pulling force generated by dynein and actin flow produced by myosin contraction and that an unidentified factor that depends on microtubule dynamics destabilizes position of the centrosome. Here, we use modeling to simulate the centrosome positioning based on the idea that the balance of three forces-dyneins pulling along microtubule length, myosin-powered centripetal drag, and microtubules pushing on organelles-is responsible for the centrosome displacement. By comparing numerical predictions with centrosome behavior in wild-type and perturbed interphase cells, we rule out several plausible hypotheses about the nature

SUBMITTER: Zhu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3002394 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature