A discontinuously coupled network of phase oscillators replicates cooperation between motors in actomyosin systems

Abstract Groups of non-processive myosin motors exhibit complex behaviours when interacting with actin filaments, often operating at larger scales and time frames than individual myosin heads. This suggests strong cooperative dynamics, but underlying interactions driving this emergent behaviour remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate the diversity of in vitro behaviours that can be captured by a simple mechanical model based off networks of phase oscillators. The model mirrors typical hyperbolic force–velocity curves and linear force-motor fraction relations present in actomyosin experiments, alongside spontaneous saw-tooth oscillations. This suggests actomyosin-like behaviour arises as a property of the discontinuous coupling in an incommensurate architecture, rather than specific to molecular motor reaction kinetics. Thus, non-biological motors cooperate similarly to biological motors within an actomyosin-like geometry, implying that achieving function does not depend on motor-specific qualities. We build an experimental replica and demonstrate that brief connectivity dynamics provided by the system’s architecture are sufficient to organize the electric motors into cooperative synchronization patterns. The patterns’ nature allows recruitment of rotors against an external force, reducing variance in the backbone’s velocity and demonstrating morphological control. Altogether, these findings offer novel insights into the nature of muscle contraction, synchronizing networks and potential applications in robotics that emulate biological muscles.