Demonstrates that a minimal actomyosin system under elastic loading can spontaneously oscillate, supporting theoretical models of molecular motor dynamics.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports motor dynamics models in minimal systems; leaves open translation to cardiac sarcomere function.
Spontaneous mechanical oscillations occur in various types of biological systems where groups of motor molecules are elastically coupled to their environment. By using an optical trap to oppose the gliding motion of a single bead-tailed actin filament over a substrate densely coated with myosin motors, we mimicked this condition in vitro. We show that this minimal actomyosin system can oscillate spontaneously. Our finding accords quantitatively with a general theoretical framework where oscillatory instabilities emerge generically from the collective dynamics of molecular motors under load.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Plaçais et al. (2009) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: