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Actin crosslinking controls mobility, microtubule crosslinkers control co-localization in a composite cytoskeletal network

ORAL

Abstract

Actin and microtubule filaments are cytoskeletal biopolymers with various vital roles in the cell. Despite decades of studying them separately, they have recently been shown to interact in networks mechanically and chemically. Here, we are interested in the composite network mechanics and mobility as the actin and microtubules are increasingly crosslinked. We use biotin-NeutrAvidin crosslinkers to irreversibly crosslink actin and MAP65, an antiparallel microtubule crosslinker to bundle microtubules. Cytoskeleton networks are imaged over time using fluorescent microscopy and the mobility characteristics are measured. We find that actin crosslinkers tune the mobility of this composite network, while microtubule crosslinkers can control the co-localization of actin and microtubules.

Presenters

  • Leila Farhadi

    Physics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Authors

  • Leila Farhadi

    Physics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

  • Michael Rust

    University of Chicago, Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Univ of Chicago, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago

  • Moumita Das

    Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, Rochester Institute of Technology

  • Rae M Robertson-Anderson

    Department of Physics, University of San Diego, Univ of San Diego, University of San Diego, Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego

  • Jennifer L Ross

    Syracuse University, Physics, Syracuse University, Department of Physics, Syracuse University