Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 27: Posters: Cytoskeletal Filaments

BP 27.13: Poster

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 17:30–19:30, Poster A

Formation of regular actin bundle networks by counter-ion condensation and entropic forces — Florian Huber, •Dan Strehle, Jörg Schnauß, Matti Gralka, and Josef Käs — Universität Leipzig

Actin is a major constituent that contributes mechanical integrity and function to living cells. Filamentous actin is organized in structures spanning networks of filaments, bundles of filaments to networks of bundles. In this work we explore the mechanisms that determine this resulting architecture. In our experimental bottom-up approach we combine actin filaments with uniform attractive interactions. Counterion-condensation as well as depletion-force agents aggregate a homogeneous F-actin solution into regular actin-bundle networks connected by aster-like centers. Both, partial nematic or flow-induced alignment, drastically change the observed network architecture to ladder-like patterns. Complementing the experimental data we aim at elucidating the mechanism on the basis of coarse-grained modeling. Due to the fundamental nature of the interactions considered, we expect that the investigated type of network formation further implies severe consequences to cytoskeletal network formation on the more complex level of living cells.