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arXiv · 2305.00539

Dynein-driven self-organization of microtubules: An entropy- and network-based analysis

Nikita Frolov·Bram Bijnens·Daniel Ruiz-Reynés·Lendert Gelens
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Abstract

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.

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Nikita Frolov, Bram Bijnens, Daniel Ruiz-Reynés, Lendert Gelens. 2023-04-30. Dynein-driven self-organization of microtubules: An entropy- and network-based analysis. https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.00539

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