Scaling of Microtubule Force-Velocity Curves Obtained at Different Tubulin Concentrations

Marcel E. Janson and Marileen Dogterom
Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 248101 – Published 16 June 2004

Abstract

We present a single curve that describes the decay in average growth velocity for microtubules in response to a mechanical force. Curves obtained at two new and one previously studied tubulin concentrations coalesce when normalized with the growth velocity at zero load. This scaling provides direct evidence for a force-independent molecular off rate, in agreement with Brownian ratchet models. In addition, microtubule length changes were measured with a precision up to 10 nm, revealing that microtubules under load abruptly switch between different growth velocities.

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  • Received 5 June 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.248101

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Marcel E. Janson* and Marileen Dogterom

  • FOM Institute AMOLF, Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • *Present address: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, 421 Curie Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104-6058, USA.

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Vol. 92, Iss. 24 — 18 June 2004

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