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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
11:09
Characterizing the Composition of Molecular Motors on Moving Axonal Cargo Using "Cargo Mapping" Analysis
Published on: October 30, 2014
Regulation of molecular motor proteins
A R Reilein1, S L Rogers, M C Tuma
1Department of Cell and Structural Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, USA.
International Review of Cytology
|March 13, 2001
Summary
Motor proteins like kinesin, dynein, and myosin are regulated through common mechanisms, despite diverse structures. This review covers their regulation, including complexities in cytoplasmic dynein isoforms.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Motors
Background:
- Motor proteins (kinesin, dynein, myosin) are essential for cellular functions requiring force generation.
- These proteins, despite structural diversity within superfamilies, share general regulatory mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulatory mechanisms of kinesin, dynein, and myosin motor proteins.
- To highlight common regulatory themes between different motor protein classes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on regulation of kinesin, dynein, and myosin superfamilies.
- Analysis of known regulatory mechanisms and emerging complexities, such as cytoplasmic dynein isoforms.
Main Results:
- Kinesin regulation involves specific mechanisms for subsets and general family-wide strategies.
- Dynein regulation, particularly for cytoplasmic dyneins, is complicated by multiple isoforms.
- Myosin regulation in membrane trafficking is discussed, revealing potential evolutionary links and shared regulatory themes with kinesins.
Conclusions:
- Common regulatory principles govern diverse motor proteins, suggesting conserved biological strategies.
- Understanding these regulations is crucial for comprehending cellular mechanics and function.
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