Geometry of Axoneme-like Filament Bundles

Abstract

We develop a formalism that describes the bending and twisting of axoneme-like filament bundles. We obtain general formulas to determine the relative sliding between any arbitrary filaments in a bundle subjected to unconstrained deformations. Particular examples for bending, twisting, helical and toroidal shapes, and combinations of these are discussed. Resulting equations for sliding and transversal shifting, expressed in terms of the curvature and torsion of the bundle, are applied to flagellar bend data. We prove that simultaneous combination of twisting and bending can produce a drastically drop in the sliding, by decreasing bending rigidity.