Computer simulation of a model network for the erythrocyte cytoskeleton.
AUTOR(ES)
Boal, D H
RESUMO
The geometry and mechanical properties of the human erythrocyte membrane cytoskeleton are investigated by a computer simulation in which the cytoskeleton is represented by a network of polymer chains. Four elastic moduli as well as the area and thickness are predicted for the chain network as a function of temperature and the number of segments in each chain. Comparisons are made with mean field arguments to examine the importance of steric interactions in determining network properties. Applied to the red blood cell, the simulation predicts that in the bilayer plane the membrane cytoskeleton has a shear modulus of 10 +/- 2 x 10(-6) J/m2 and an areal compression modulus of 17 +/- 2 x 10(-6) J/m2. The volume compression modulus and the transverse Young's modulus of the cytoskeleton are predicted to be 1.2 +/- 0.1 x 10(3) J/m3 and 2.0 +/- 0.1 x 10(3) J/m3, respectively. Elements of the cytoskeleton are predicted to have a mean displacement from the bilayer plane of 15 nm. The simulation agrees with some, but not all, of the shear modulus measurements. The other predicted moduli have not been measured.
ACESSO AO ARTIGO
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1225395Documentos Relacionados
- Specific binding of solubilized adenylate cyclase to the erythrocyte cytoskeleton.
- Microtubule Components of the Plant Cell Cytoskeleton.
- Antibody to intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton.
- Ras-related GTPases and the cytoskeleton.
- Association of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase with the Plant Cytoskeleton.