BPCPPDYSOE21 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 18: Cell Mechanics IV
BP 18.1: Talk
Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 11:00–11:20, BPc
Direct measurements of interactions between intermediate filaments — •Anna V. Schepers1, Charlotta Lorenz1, Peter Nietmann2, Andreas Janshoff2, Stefan Klumpp3, and Sarah Köster1 — 1Insitute for X-Ray Physics, Georg August University Göttingen — 2Institute of Physical Chemistry, Georg August University Göttingen — 3Institute for Dynamics of Complex Systems, Georg August University Göttingen
The cytoskeleton consists of F-actin, microtublues and intermediate filaments (IFs), which form a complex composite network. F-actin and microtubule networks have been studied extensively and a large variety of cross-linkers are known. By contrast, the interactions in reconstituted IF networks are less well understood. It has, however, been shown that multivalent ions cause bundling and network stiffening. While rheological experiments give insight into the slow stiffening and mechanics of vimentin IF networks, it is challenging to distinguish the contributions of filament stiffening and of increased attraction. Combining optical trapping and fluorescence microscopy enables us to bring two single vimentin IFs in contact and directly study the interactions between the filaments. By amplifying electrostatic attraction or diminishing the hydrophobic interactions we are able to study the nature of the interactions between IFs. These results, in combination with studies of the mechanical properties of single IFs, allow us to model the interactions with Monte-Carlo simulations, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of cytoskeletal structures.