Abstract
We investigate an idealized model of microtubule dynamics thatinvolves: (i) attachment of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) at rateλ, (ii)conversion of GTP to guanosine diphosphate (GDP) at rate 1, and (iii) detachment of GDP at rateμ.As a function of these rates, a microtubule can grow steadily or its length can fluctuate wildly. Forμ = 0, we find the exact tubule and GTP cap length distributions, and power-law lengthdistributions of GTP and GDP islands. For μ = ∞, we argue that the time between catastrophes, where the microtubule shrinks to zero length, scalesas eλ. We also discuss the nature of the phase boundary between a growing and shrinkingmicrotubule.
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