Work

The depletion attraction: an underappreciated force driving cellular organization

Year: 2006

Type: review

Abstract: 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.

Source: The Journal of Cell Biology

DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200609066

Authors: Davide Marenduzzo, Kieran Finan, Peter R. Cook

Institutions: University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Protein Structure and Dynamics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Wellcome Trust, Government of the United Kingdom, Cancer Research UK, University of Oxford, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Clarendon Fund

OpenAlex ID: W2051822822

FWCI: 0.723

Cites: 63

Cited by: 394

Related to: 8