Diffusion of Myosin V on Microtubules: A Fine-Tuned Interaction for Which E-Hooks Are Dispensable
2011

Myosin V Diffusion on Microtubules

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Author Information

Author(s): Dennis Zimmermann, Basma Abdel Motaal, Lena Voith von Voithenberg, Manfred Schliwa, Zeynep Ökten

Primary Institution: Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany

Hypothesis

Does the charge of loop 2 contribute to microtubule binding and diffusion of myosin V?

Conclusion

Myosin V can diffuse along microtubules without the need for E-hooks, suggesting that non-ionic attraction forces also play a significant role in this interaction.

Supporting Evidence

  • Electrostatic interactions were found to be significant in the binding of myosin V to microtubules.
  • All myosin V constructs, regardless of charge, showed diffusion along microtubules.
  • E-hooks were shown to be dispensable for myosin V diffusion on microtubules.
  • Non-ionic attraction forces may also contribute to the interaction between myosin V and microtubules.

Takeaway

Myosin V can move along microtubules without needing certain parts that were thought to be essential, showing that other forces help it stick and move.

Methodology

Single molecule Total Internal Reflection Microscopy (TIRFM) was used to study the binding and diffusion of myosin V mutants on microtubules.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on in vitro conditions, which may not fully replicate in vivo environments.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.005

Statistical Significance

p<0.005

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025473

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