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Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

Eukaryotic cells have different motor proteins for transporting various cargo within the cell. These motor proteins differ based on the filament they associate with, the direction they move within the cell, and the type of cargo they transport. Motor proteins that associate with microtubules are known as microtubule-associated motor proteins. There are two families of microtubule-associated motor proteins —Kinesins and Dyneins. Both these proteins assist in the transport of cellular cargos...

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

In eukaryotic cells, cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...

Anaphase A and B

Anaphase A and B

Microtubules form through the end-to-end polymerization of tubulin heterodimers. Kinetochore microtubules originate from the spindle poles, and their plus-ends connect with the kinetochores on sister-chromatids. Ndc80 protein complexes, present on the kinetochore, form low-affinity links with the plus end of these kinetochore microtubules.
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Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging

Published on: March 13, 2019

Molecular motors: not quite like clockwork.

¹MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, United Kingdom. laa@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS

|January 19, 2008

Summary

Models of myosin motors involve a power stroke mechanism. Microtubule motors, however, may be better explained by thermally driven mechanisms, differing from myosin motor models.

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Molecular Motors

Background:

Myosin motors are typically explained by power stroke models involving conformational changes and lever arms.
These models have limited success in explaining the mechanics of microtubule motors.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore alternative models for understanding microtubule motor mechanisms.
To investigate the applicability of thermally driven mechanisms for microtubule motors.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of existing myosin motor models.
Theoretical exploration of thermally driven mechanisms.

Main Results:

Standard myosin motor models are less effective for microtubule motors.

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Last Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging

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Published on: March 13, 2019

Assembling Molecular Shuttles Powered by Reversibly Attached Kinesins

Assembling Molecular Shuttles Powered by Reversibly Attached Kinesins

Published on: January 26, 2019

Thermally driven mechanisms present a potentially more suitable framework for microtubule motors.

Conclusions:

Rethinking the fundamental mechanisms of microtubule motors is necessary.
Thermally driven models offer a promising avenue for future research into microtubule motor function.