We develop a model to describe the force generated by  an array of well- separated parallel biofilaments, such as actin filaments . The filaments are assumed to only be coupled through mechanical contact with a movable barrier. We calculate the filament density distribution and the force-velocity relation with a mean-field approach combined with simulations. We identify two regimes: a non-condensed regime at low force in which filaments are spread out spatially, and a condensed regime at high force in which filaments accumulate near the barrier. We confirm that in this model, the stall force is equal to N times the stall force of a single filament. However, surprisingly, for large N, we find that the velocity approaches zero at forces significantly lower than the stall force.
We develop a model to describe the force generated by the polymerization of an array of parallel biofilaments . The filaments are assumed to be coupled only through mechanical contact with a movable barrier. We calculate the filament density distribution and the force-velocity relation with a mean-field approach combined with simulations. We identify two regimes: a non-condensed regime at low force in which filaments are spread out spatially, and a condensed regime at high force in which filaments accumulate near the barrier. We confirm a result previously known from other related studies, namely that the stall force is equal to N times the stall force of a single filament. In the model studied here, the approach to stalling is very slow, and the velocity is practically zero at forces significantly lower than the stall force.
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the polymerization of
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well- separated parallel biofilaments, such as actin filaments
parallel biofilaments
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only be coupled
be coupled only
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that in this model,
a result previously known from other related studies, namely that
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However, surprisingly, for large N, we find that the velocity approaches
In the model studied here, the approach to stalling is very slow, and the velocity is practically