A model for actin polymerization is proposed in which the rate of elongation of actin filaments depends on whether adenosine 5'-triphosphate or adenosine 5'-diphosphate is bound to the two terminal subunits of the filament. This model accounts quantitatively for the experimental data on the kinetics of filament elongation and explains the effect of ATP hydrolysis on actin polymerization.

In previous papers (1,2) the thermotropic properties and the kinetics of the bulk polymerization of the mesomorphic monomer cholesteryl acrylate have been described. In addition to cholesteryl acrylate, the methacrylate was prepared, as well as the respective acrylic methacrylic acid ester of cholestanol. We now wish to report the properties of these monomeric esters and the results of their po...

Microwave mediated RAFT polymerization leads to ultra-fast polymerizations, whilst keeping excellent control over molecular weights and molecular weight distributions; this is the first example of such a dramatic effect of microwaves on living radical polymerization kinetics, and it shows the potential for chemists to produce very well controlled polymers in a matter of minutes.

The kinetics of acrylic acid (AA) solution polymerization was investigated by polymerizing 30 wt % aqueous AA solutions at pH values ranging from 2.2 to 9.9. The polymerization rate was determined with differential photocalorimetry and was found to be a strong function of the solution pH and the ionic strength. Although the polymerization rate decreased with increasing pH below pH 6.5, an incre...

Polymerization of actin proteins into dynamic structures is essential to eukaryotic cell life, motivating many in vitro experiments measuring polymerization kinetics of individual filaments. Here, we model these kinetics, accounting for all relevant steps revealed by experiment: polymerization, depolymerization, random ATP hydrolysis, and release of phosphate (P(i)). We relate filament growth r...

Cyclic monomers that have been polymerized via ring opening encompass a variety of structures, such as alkanes, alkenes, compounds containing heteroatoms in the ring: oxygen [ethers, acetals, esters (lactones, lactides, and carbonates), and anhydrides], sulfur (polysulfur, sulfi des and polysulfi des), nitrogen [amines, amides (lactames), imides, N carboxyanhydrides and 1,3 oxaza derivatives], ...

The role of the crystal morphology and dissolution kinetics of Grubbs’ catalyst on self-healing capability is examined. Self-healing polymers require complete coverage of the crack plane with polymerized healing agent for optimal recovery of mechanical integrity. Lack of catalyst leads to incomplete coverage, partial polymerization, and poor mechanical recovery. Catalyst availability is determi...