TABLE 1.
| Key model parameters | |
|---|---|
 |
Second-order binding constant of myosin to actin |
| A | Chain kink energy for one bound myosin |
| ν | Persistence number = 1/ξc |
| Associated parameters, variables, and constants
| |
| α | Strength of the chain confining potential |
| κ | Chain bending stiffness per unit length (see under Eq. 1) |
| ξ | Inverse persistence length = (α/4κ)1/4 |
| φ+ | Myosin kink angle (>0) |
| δφ | Angular standard deviation of free chain = (8βκξ3)−1/2 |
| n | Hill coefficient |
| s | Distance along the chain |
| [S1] | Free myosin concentration |
| KS1 | First-order myosin affinity to actin 
|
| K | Myosin affinity under the chain = KS1exp(−βA) |
| θ | Myosin bound fraction (of actin sites with myosin bound) |
| φ(s) | Angular displacement of the chain at position s |
| c | Actin monomer spacing (5.5 nm) |
| kB | Boltzmann's constant |
| T | Absolute temperature |
| β | =1/kBT |
Definitions of mathematical symbols appearing outside the Theory section. In this article, ln and log denote logarithms to base e and 10 respectively.