Transient Binding and Dissipation in Cross-Linked Actin Networks

O. Lieleg, Mireille Maria Anna Elisabeth Claessens, Y. Luan, A.R. Bausch

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Abstract

In contrast with entangled actin solutions, transiently cross-linked actin networks can provide highly elastic properties while still allowing for local rearrangements in the microstructure-on biological relevant time scales. Here, we show that thermal unbinding of transient cross-links entails local stress relaxation and energy dissipation in an intermediate elasticity dominated frequency regime. We quantify the viscoelastic response of an isotropically cross-linked actin network by experimentally tuning the off rate of the transiently cross-linking molecules, their density, and the solvent viscosity. We reproduce the measured frequency response by a semiphenomenological model that is predicated on microscopic unbinding events.
Original languageUndefined
Pages (from-to)108101-1-108101-4
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume101
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Keywords

  • IR-59955
  • METIS-250787

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