Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A simple theoretical model explains dynein's response to load.

Yi Qin Gao1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA. yiqin@mail.chem.tamu.edu

Biophysical Journal
|November 15, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Cytoplasmic dynein 1, a molecular motor, adjusts its step size based on external load, taking larger steps with less load and smaller steps with high load. This behavior is explained by a model of loose chemomechanical coupling during ATP hydrolysis.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cooperative Contributions of Nucleosome Components on the Higher-Order Structure of Six-Nucleosome Arrays.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026
Same author

Unveiling Large-Scale Kinase-Centric Protein-Protein Interactions through a Knowledge-Informed Workflow.

Journal of chemical information and modeling·2026
Same author

Special Topics: Developments of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Methods in Asia.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same author

GPU Accelerated Minimal Auxiliary Basis Approach TDDFT for Large Organic Molecules.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same author

Analytic Nonadiabatic Derivative Couplings Using Noncollinear Spin-Flip TDDFT.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026
Same author

Deciphering Polyphenol Interactions with Poly(<sub>L</sub>-proline) and Polysarcosine.

Biomacromolecules·2026

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Biophysics
  • Molecular motors

Background:

  • Cytoplasmic dynein 1 is a crucial molecular motor for intracellular cargo transport.
  • Dynein exhibits load-dependent step size variations, a key functional characteristic.
  • Understanding dynein's mechanical properties is vital for cell biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a simple theoretical model explaining the load-dependent step size of cytoplasmic dynein 1.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of loose chemomechanical coupling in dynein's function.
  • To provide a framework for understanding dynein's adaptive mechanical behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a theoretical model based on two reaction coordinates representing chemical and mechanical processes.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Modeling loose chemomechanical coupling between ATP hydrolysis and microtubule translocation.
  • Analysis of experimental data on force-dependent step size and ATP concentration-dependent stall force.

    • Main Results:

    • The model successfully explains the observed reduction in dynein step size under increasing external load.
    • The model accounts for the relationship between ATP concentration and dynein's stall force.
    • Variable chemomechanical coupling ratio is proposed as a mechanism for functional optimization.

    Conclusions:

    • Loose chemomechanical coupling is a fundamental mechanism governing dynein's load adaptation.
    • The proposed model offers a simplified yet powerful explanation for dynein's complex mechanical behavior.
    • This work enhances our understanding of how molecular motors optimize biological functions through mechanical regulation.