From aggressive driving to molecular motor traffic

Motivated by recent experimental results for the step sizes of dynein motor proteins, we develop a cellular automata model for intra-cellular traffic of dynein motors incorporating special features of the hindrance-dependent step size of the individual motors. We begin by investigating the properties of the aggressive driving model (ADM), a simple cellular automata-based model of vehicular traffic, a unique feature of which is that it allows a natural extension to capture the essential features of dynein motor traffic. We first calculate several collective properties of the ADM, under both periodic and open boundary conditions, analytically using two different mean-field approaches as well as by carrying out computer simulations. Then we extend the ADM by incorporating the possibilities of attachment and detachment of motors on the track which is a common feature of a large class of motor proteins that are collectively referred to as cytoskeletal motors. The interplay of the boundary and bulk dynamics of attachment and detachment of the motors to the track gives rise to a phase where high- and low-density phases separated by a stable domain wall coexist. We also compare and contrast our results with the model of Parmeggiani et al ( 2003 Phys. Rev. Lett. 90 086601) which can be regarded as a minimal model for traffic of a closely related family of motor proteins called kinesin. Finally, we compare the transportation efficiencies of dynein and kinesin motors over a range of values of the model parameters.