The depletion attraction: an underappreciated force driving cellular organization.

Journal article

Cellular structures are shaped by hydrogen and ionic bonds, plus van der Waals and hydrophobic forces. In cells crowded with macromolecules, a little-known and distinct force-the "depletion attraction"-also acts. We review evidence that this force assists in the assembly of a wide range of cellular structures, ranging from the cytoskeleton to chromatin loops and whole chromosomes.

Authors: Marenduzzo, D; Finan, K; Cook, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of cell biology
• Volume: 175
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 681-686
• Publication date: 2006-12-01
• DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200609066
• EISSN: 1540-8140
• ISSN: 0021-9525
• Language: English
• Keywords: Actins; Chromosomes; Hydrogen Bonding; Amyloid; Humans; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Protein Conformation; Animals; Organelles; Models, Genetic; Cytoskeleton; Cellular Structures; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Genome; Chromatin; Cell Nucleus