| Details: |
Chromosomes move towards and away from the centrosomes during the mitosis.
This oscillation is observed when the kinetochore, a speci c protein
structure on the chromosome, is captured by centrosome-nucleated polymer
called microtubules. We present a computational model, incorporating
activities of various molecular motors and microtubule dynamics, to
demonstrate the observed oscillation. The model is robust and is not
restricted to any particular cell type. Quantifying the average velocity,
amplitude and periodicity of the chromosomal oscillation, we compare
numerical results with the available experimental data. Our analysis
supports a tug-of-war like mechanism between opposing motors that changes
the course of chromosomal oscillation. It turns out that, various modes of
oscillation can be fully understood by assembling the dynamics of
molecular motors. Near the stall regime, when opposing motors are engaged
in a tug-of-war, su ciently large kinetochore-microtubule generated force
may prolong the stall durations. |