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Tunable Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Motor-Driven Cytoskeleton Composites

ORAL

Abstract

Motor-driven scaffolds of actin filaments and microtubules display rich non-equilibrium dynamics and structure that are critical to mesoscale cellular behavior. Numerous studies have investigated the dynamics of actomyosin networks, active kinesin-microtubule systems, and steady-state actin-microtubule composites. Yet, in cells all of these components interact to enable the diverse processes and properties that cells exhibit. Here, we create in vitro actin-microtubule networks driven by myosin-II minifilaments and quad-headed kinesin clusters, and use multi-color confocal microscopy to image the active composites. To characterize the non-equilibrium dynamics of actin and microtubules in the composites, we use differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) to quantify filament contraction and flow as the composites dynamically restructure. We find that myosin and kinesin activity lead to dramatically different dynamics of both filaments, and that static crosslinking of either filament changes the patterns and rates of motor-driven restructuring.

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Presenters

  • Daisy H Achiriloaie

    Scripps College

Authors

  • Daisy H Achiriloaie

    Scripps College

  • Christopher J Currie

    University of San Diego

  • Maya Hendija

    Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego

  • Ryan McGorty

    Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University of San Diego

  • Jennifer L Ross

    Syracuse University, Department of Physics, Syracuse University

  • Moumita Das

    Rochester Institute of Technology

  • Michael J Rust

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

  • Janet Y Sheung

    Scripps College

  • Rae M Anderson

    University of San Diego, Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA, University San Diego, Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego