Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 22: Posters: Cytoskeletal filaments

BP 22.9: Poster

Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 14:00–16:00, Poster A

Mechanical properties of single Vimentin Filaments — •Johanna Block¹, Andrea Candelli², Bernd Nöding¹, and Sarah Köster¹ — ¹Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Germany — ²Physics of Living Systems, VU Amsterdam, Netherlands

Intermediate Filaments (IFs) are one of the three major components of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells. Research during the last decade gave evidence that the IFs play a fundamental role for the morphology and the mechanical properties of cells, especially in cells that are subjected to mechanical stress. By analyzing single vimentin IFs with optical tweezers in solution - and thus avoiding influences by substrates (AFM) or a dense network (rheology) - we expect to gain deeper insights into the mechanical properties of this important cellular building block. Simultaneously imaging the filaments ensures that we measure single filaments and provides the opportunity to relate the mechanical behavior to the structural build-up of the filaments. Our results show major differences in stability and stiffness between homogenous and polymorphous vimentin filaments. We are able to reproduce the high stretchability of vimentin filaments up to 2.5 times of their length but in contrast to what was expected from simulations with comparatively low forces (less than 1 nN). Experimental data and theoretical modeling enables us to describe the mechanical properties of single vimentin filaments.