Energetics and stochastic dynamics of intraneuron transport

Walking molecular motors performing various functions in living cells are reviewed, including kinesin, myosin V, and dynein. These motors ensure the transport of neuromediators in neurons and are therefore crucial for interaction among the hundred billion brain cells. Functional schemes based on these motors are presented, and corresponding mathematical models are constructed as systems of two coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo equations. However, polynomials describing the moments of force are of high order and nearly N-shaped. Model parameters are determined from motor functional schemes that are based on observed data from X-ray structural analysis, cryogenic electron microscopy, laser tweezer measurements, and fast point marker-based videomicroscopy. Basic data on neuron energetics are summarized.