TRANSPORT EFFICIENCY OF PASSIVE DIFFUSION OF VIRAL CARGOS IN BIOLOGICAL CELLS

Marissa G. Pastor and Johnrob Y. Bantang ()
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Marissa G. Pastor: National Institute of Physics, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Johnrob Y. Bantang: National Institute of Physics, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines

International Journal of Modern Physics C (IJMPC), 2011, vol. 22, issue 04, 347-357

Abstract: Usingin silicoexperiments, we isolate the effects of geometry on the efficiency of passive diffusion transport,PS, of viral cargos to the nuclear region. We model the cell as an elliptical 2D structure (eccentricitye) containing a circular nucleus with radiiR(semi-minor) andr, respectively. The cargos move in isotropic random walk inside the cell.PSis estimated as the ratio of the number of cargos that reach the nuclear region and of cargos released. We show thatPSdecreases with the total distance traveled but increases withr/R. Shifting the nuclear position inside circular cells(e = 0)produce probability distribution functions of total distance traveled that shifts to shorter modes as one side becomes closer to the cell membrane. On the contrary, cargos in more elongated cells(e = 0)have preservedPS-values even for longer distances of travel inside the cell. Finally, an optimumr/Rexists due to a trade-off between increased efficiency of transport to the nucleus and high cytoplasmic area. This work could contribute in elucidating the reason why some viruses induce asymmetry in their host cells.

Keywords: Random walks; intracellular transport; Monte Carlo simulation; viral diseases; 05.40.Fb; 87.16.A-; 87.10.Rt; 87.17.Aa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1142/S0129183111016294

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