Symmetric linear potential and imperfect Brownian ratchet in molecular motor function
Journal
Chinese Physics
Journal Volume
14
Journal Issue
9
Pages
1745-1754
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
Biomolecular motors are tiny engines that transport materials at the microscopic level within biological cells. In recent years, Elston and Peskin null et al have investigated the effect of the elastic properties of the tether that connects the motor to its cargo at the speed of the motor. In this paper we extend their work and present a tether in the form of symmetric linear potential. Our results show that when the driving mechanism is an imperfect Brownian ratchet, null the average speed decreases as the stiffness of the tether increases in the limit of large motor diffusion coefficient, which is similar to the results of Elston and Peskin. However, a threshold for the stiffness of the tether connecting the motor to its cargo is found in our model. Only when the tether is stiffer than the threshold can the motor and its cargo function co-operatively, otherwise, the motor and its cargo depart from each other. This result is more realistic than that of the spring model of Elston and Peskin.
Type
journal article