A model for hand-over-hand motion of molecular motors

TL;DR

This paper introduces a two-dimensional flashing ratchet model to simulate the hand-over-hand motion of molecular motors like kinesin, validated through Langevin simulations showing qualitative agreement with expected behaviors.

Contribution

The study presents a novel 2D ratchet model for molecular motor motion and explores various motion regimes and efficiencies through extensive simulations.

Findings

Model shows good qualitative agreement with expected motor behavior

Different motion regimes depend on model parameters

Efficiency varies with parameter changes

Abstract

A simple flashing ratchet model in two dimensions is proposed to simulate the hand-over-hand motion of two head molecular motors like kinesin. Extensive Langevin simulations of the model are performed. Good qualitative agreement with the expected behavior is observed. We discuss different regimes of motion and efficiency depending of model parameters.