Modeling Studies of Microtubule Polymerization Promoted by Kinesin-5 Motors

Kinesin-5 Eg5 motors have the ability to promote microtubule polymerization. However, how the Eg5 motors can promote the microtubule polymerization is unclear. Here, a model is presented, based on which the dynamics of the microtubule polymerization promoted by the Eg5 motors is studied analytically. For comparison, the dynamics of the microtubule polymerization in the presence of kinesin-1 motors and in the absence of the kinesin motor is also studied analytically. The analytical results explain quantitatively the available experimental data. The predicted results are also provided.