Fig. 5
Model schematic and microtubule dynamics. (A and B) Schematic of MT dynamics, including stochastic events and angle-dependent collision/deterministic events. (A) Stochastic events include polymerization (vp+) and depolymerization (vd+) at the plus end and constant slow depolymerization (vd−) at the minus end, rescue, and catastrophe. (B) Angle-dependent collision-based events of MTs include zippering at a shallow angle (< 40º) and catastrophe or crossover beyond a critical angle (> 40º). (C) MT simulation domain is a 10 × 10 μm (initial domain size) square network with periodic boundary conditions in both x and y directions. MTs in the simulation domain are composed of serially connected small segments representing tubulin dimers, as shown in green. (D) Mathematical relationship between local principal stress and stress acting on individual microtubules depending on their angle of orientation