Mechanics of bundled semiflexible polymer networks

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Aug 24;99(8):088102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.088102. Epub 2007 Aug 22.

Abstract

While actin bundles are used by living cells for structural fortification, the microscopic origin of the elasticity of bundled networks is not understood. Here, we show that above a critical concentration of the actin binding protein fascin, a solution of actin filaments organizes into a pure network of bundles. While the elasticity of weakly cross-linked networks is dominated by the affine deformation of tubes, the network of bundles can be fully understood in terms of nonaffine bending undulations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actins* / chemistry
  • Elasticity
  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Solutions

Substances

  • Actins
  • Polymers
  • Solutions