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A continuous isotropic-nematic liquid crystalline transition of F-actin solutions

Jorge Viamontes·Jay X. Tang
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Abstract

The phase transition from the isotropic (I) to nematic (N) liquid crystalline suspension of F-actin of average length $3~μ$m or above was studied by local measurements of optical birefringence and protein concentration. Both parameters were detected to be continuous in the transition region, suggesting that the I-N transition is higher than 1st order. This finding is consistent with a recent theory by Lammert, Rokhsar & Toner (PRL, 1993, 70:1650), predicting that the I-N transition may become continuous due to suppression of disclinations. Indeed, few line defects occur in the aligned phase of F-actin. Individual filaments in solutions of a few mg/ml F-actin undergo fast translational diffusion along the filament axis, whereas both lateral and rotational diffusions are suppressed.

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Jorge Viamontes, Jay X. Tang. 2002-09-04. A continuous isotropic-nematic liquid crystalline transition of F-actin solutions. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.67.040701

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