Microrheology of entangled F-actin solutions

Phys Rev Lett. 2003 Oct 10;91(15):158302. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.158302. Epub 2003 Oct 7.

Abstract

We measure the viscoelasticity of entangled F-actin over length scales between 1 and 100 microm using one- and two-particle microrheology, and directly identify two distinct microscopic contributions to the elasticity. Filament entanglements lead to a frequency-independent elastic modulus over an extended frequency range of 0.01-30 rad/sec; this is probed with one-particle microrheology. Longitudinal fluctuations of the filaments increase the elastic modulus between 0.1 and 30 rad/sec at length scales up to the filament persistence length; this is probed by two-particle microrheology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / chemistry
  • Actins / chemistry*
  • Elasticity
  • Rheology / methods
  • Solutions
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Actins
  • Solutions