Low-intensity magnetic fields assisted alignment of actin filaments

This article represents the effects on actin filaments attached to magnetic nanoparticles when exposed to low-intensity magnetic field. In this approach, streptavidin functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were used to demonstrate the alignment of actin filament under external magnetic field of 22 mT. To check the directionality of myosin on magnetically aligned actin filaments in vitro motility assay was performed with myosin and average velocity was found to be 3.50 mu m/s. It was observed that myosin moves in the direction in which actin filaments were magnetically aligned. This approach will explore the capability of integrating molecular motor into microelectronics mechanical system (MEMS) and nanoelectro-mechanical system (NEMS). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.