Force-velocity relations of a two-state crossbridge model
for molecular motors

A. Vilfan ¹, E. Frey ² and F. Schwabl ¹

¹Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität München
D-85747 Garching, Germany
²Physics Department, Harvard University - Cambridge, MA02138, USA

(received 14 April 1998; accepted in final form 26 November 1998)

PACS. 05.40+j - Fluctuation phenomena, random processes, and Brownian motion.
PACS. 87.10+e - Biological and medical physics: General theory and mathematical aspects.
PACS. 87.22Jb - Muscle contraction, nerve conduction, synaptic transmission, memorization, and other neurophysiological processes (excluding perception processes and speech).

Abstract:

We discuss the force-velocity relations obtained in a two-state crossbridge model for molecular motors. They can be calculated analytically in two limiting cases: for a large number and for one pair of motors. The effect of the strain-dependent detachment rate on the motor characteristics is studied. It can lead to linear, myosin-like, kinesin-like and anomalous curves. In particular, we specify the conditions under which oscillatory behavior may be found.

***