Bidirectional cargo transport by microtubule-based molecular motors

We have reconstituted a simple in vitro system using only mammalian dynein and mammalian kinesin attached to a single cargo. These cargoes undergo saltatory motion typically seen in vivo, indicating that the motors engage in a tug-of-war. When the complex hits a barrier, the cargo often reverses direction. In some cases, it tries several up-and-back motions, during which time the dynein likely pulls the cargo onto a different protofilament, and is sometimes able to bypass the blockage. This explains why eliminating kinesin or dynein stops motion in both directions in vivo. We also find that mammalian dynein, but not kinesin, often takes backwards steps when under backward force. However, yeast dynein coupled with mammalian kinesin does not display these attributes, as expected.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Hoffman, Melinda

Contributors dc:contributor

• Selvin, Paul R.
• Aksimentiev, Aleksei
• Giannetta, Russell W.

• Kinesin
• dynein
• saltatory motion
• microtubule
• molecular motors
• tug of war

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Melinda Hoffman

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29460

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/29460