Theoretical study of a model for the ATP cap at the end of an actin filament.

The model used successfully by Pantaloni et al. to fit experimental data on steady-state actin polymerization is investigated theoretically. Many properties are deduced, as functions of the free subunit concentration. The model is simple enough so that one can examine analytically the question of whether actin shows the same dramatic phase changes associated with the GTP cap in microtubules. The answer is negative, judging from this model. However, it is possible to obtain such phase changes using the same model but with quite different, hypothetical choices of parameters. Thus, aside from its application to actin, this model is useful pedagogically to illustrate the nature of phase changes that may occur at the end of a steady-state polymer.