Figure 12.

Contour plots of several axon properties versus microtubule (de-)polymerization rate and microtubule mass from the computational model (top) and analytical model (bottom). Consistent with Microtubule Dynamics and Tau Cross-Linking, axon viscosity decreases for increasing (de-)polymerization rates. More pronounced, the stretch rate in the axon increases when microtubule mass increases. This trend follows as an increase in microtubule mass will reduce myosin activity and, thereby, reduce the contractile force generation in the actin cortex. The trends in viscosity are consistent with the contours of numbers of dynein and myosin proteins and their effects as demonstrated in Dynein and Myosin. To view this figure in color, go online.