Structural Transitions of F-actin Polyelectrolyte Bundles in the Presence of Strongly Size-mismatched Cations

ORAL

Abstract

In the presence of multivalent cations, the polyelectrolyte F-actin exhibits the phenomenon of `like-charge attraction'. Simple divalent ions cause F-actin to form close-packed bundles with an interstitial 1-D density wave of ions along the length of the bundle. Lysozyme, a nonavalent (+9) cationic globular protein (45{\AA}x25{\AA}x25{\AA}) causes F-actin to form similar bundles, with a larger inter-actin distance and an incommensurate 1-D column of close-packed lysozyme along the three-fold tunnel within the bundle. Using genetically engineered lysozyme with different charges, we examine the competition of these cationic agents and their effect on F-actin bundle structure.

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Authors

  • Robert Coridan

    Dept. of Physics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois, Dept. of Physics

  • Lori K. Sanders

    Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  • Wujing Xian

    Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Dept of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  • Gerard C.L. Wong

    Dept of Materials Science and Engineering, Dept. of Physics, Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois, Dept. of Physics, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Physics, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Physics, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dept. of Physics, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Dept. of Bioengineering