Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and MechanicsMehrzad Sasanpour 1, Daisy H. Achiriloaie 1,2, Gloria Lee 1, Gregor Leech 1, Maya Hendija 1, K. Alice Lindsay 3, Jennifer L. Ross 3, Ryan J. McGorty 1, Rae M. Robertson-Anderson 1
1Department of Physics and Biophysics, University of San Diego, 2W. M. Keck Science Department, Scripps College, Pitzer College, and Claremont McKenna College, 3Department of Physics, Syracuse University
This paper presents protocols for engineering and characterizing tunable three-dimensional composite networks of co-entangled actin filaments and microtubules. Composites undergo active restructuring and ballistic motion, driven by myosin II and kinesin motors, and are tuned by the relative concentrations of actin, microtubules, motor proteins, and passive crosslinkers.
