Molecular motors: Dynein's gearbox

Curr Biol. 2004 May 4;14(9):R355-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2004.04.026.

Abstract

A new optical trapping study shows that the stepsize of cytoplasmic dynein varies according to the applied force, suggesting that this motor can change gear. Complementary biochemical kinetic work on yeast dynein mutants hints at the allosteric mechanisms involved.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Biological Transport
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • Dyneins / metabolism
  • Dyneins / physiology*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / physiology*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology

Substances

  • Molecular Motor Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Dyneins