Tube Width Fluctuations in F-Actin Solutions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the distribution of local tube widths in F-actin solutions, combining experimental data with a theoretical model based on binary collision approximation, revealing a universal distribution with a stretched tail.

Contribution

It introduces a segment fluid theory that extends mean-field approaches to accurately predict tube width fluctuations in F-actin solutions.

Findings

Universal tube width distribution with a stretched tail

Good agreement between theory and experimental data

Extension of mean-field models to include topological constraints

Abstract

We determine the statistics of the local tube width in F-actin solutions, beyond the usually reported mean value. Our experimental observations are explained by a segment fluid theory based on the binary collision approximation (BCA). In this systematic generalization of the standard mean-field approach effective polymer segments interact via a potential representing the topological constraints. The analytically predicted universal tube width distribution with a stretched tail is in good agreement with the data.