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Mathematical modelling and numerical simulations of actin dynamics in the eukaryotic cell

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 11:20 authored by Uduak Z George, Angélique Stéphanou, Anotida MadzvamuseAnotida Madzvamuse
The aim of this article is to study cell deformation and cell movement by considering both the mechanical and biochemical properties of the cortical network of actin filaments and its concentration. Actin is a polymer that can exist either in fil- amentous form (F-actin) or in monometric form (G-actin) (Chen et al. 2000) and the filamentous form is arranged in a paired helix of two protofilaments (Ananthakrish- nan et al. 2006). By assuming that cell deformations are a result of the cortical actin dynamics in the cell cytoskeleton, we consider a continuum mathematical model that couples the mechanics of the network of actin filaments with its bio-chemical dy- namics. Numerical treatment of the model is carried out using the moving grid finite element method (Madzvamuse et al. 2003). Furthermore, by assuming slow deforma- tions of the cell, we use linear stability theory to validate the numerical simulation results close to bifurcation points. Far from bifurcation points, we show that the math- ematical model is able to describe the complex cell deformations typically observed in experimental results. Our numerical results illustrate cell expansion, cell contrac- tion, cell translation and cell relocation as well as cell protrusions. In all these results, the contractile tonicity formed by the association of actin filaments to the myosin II motor proteins is identified as a key bifurcation parameter.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Mathematical Biology

ISSN

0303-6812

Publisher

Springer

Issue

3

Volume

66

Page range

547-593

Department affiliated with

  • Mathematics Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-04-16

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