2023/04/30 by Nikita Frolov, Bram Bijnens, Frolov, Nikita +5
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Engineering · Environmental Science · #Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems (nlin.AO) #Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis #Ecosystem dynamics and resilience #FOS: Biological sciences #FOS: Physical sciences #Pattern Formation and Solitons (nlin.PS) #Slime Mold and Myxomycetes Research #Subcellular Processes (q-bio.SC)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2305.00539
openalex publication_date 2023/04/30 · openalex created_date 2023/05/03 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Microtubules self-organize to form part of the cellular cytoskeleton. They give cells their shape and play a crucial role in cell division and intracellular transport. Strikingly, microtubules driven by motor proteins reorganize into stable mitotic/meiotic spindles with high spatial and temporal precision during successive cell division cycles. Although the topic has been extensively studied, the question remains: What defines such microtubule networks' spatial order and robustness? Here, we aim to approach this problem by analyzing a simplified computational model of radial microtubule self-organization driven by a single type of motor protein -- dyneins. We establish that the spatial order of the steady-state pattern is likely associated with the dynein-driven microtubule motility. At the same time, the structure of the microtubule network is likely linked to its connectivity at the beginning of self-organization. Using the continuous variation of dynein concentration, we reveal hysteresis in microtubule self-organization, ensuring the stability of radial filament structures.