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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Myosin Structure and Function01:15

Overview of Myosin Structure and Function

Myosins are a family of molecular motor proteins, first identified in the skeletal muscles, where they are responsible for muscle contraction. Along with their role in muscle contraction, these proteins also play a role in the intracellular transport of molecules and vesicles. There are twenty-four classes of myosins based on their domain sequence and organization. Of the twenty-four, six classes (Myosin I, Myosin II, Myosin V, Myosin VI, Myosin VII, and Myosin X)  have been well characterized.
Role of Myosin in Cell Migration01:18

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II  is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...
Mechanical Protein Function01:58

Mechanical Protein Function

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force. 
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

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.
Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction01:16

Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction

Actin and myosin are contractile proteins that form the sarcomere found in skeletal muscle tissues for regulating muscle contraction. Actin, a globular contractile protein, interacts with myosin for muscle contraction. The skeletal tissue appears striped or striated under a microscope due to the repeated arrangement of contractile proteins actin and myosin along the length of myofibrils. Dark A bands and light I bands repeat along myofibrils, and the alignment of myofibrils in the cell causes...

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Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays
08:57

Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays

Published on: February 4, 2021

Five models for myosin V.

Andrej Vilfan1

  • 1J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. andrej.vilfan@ijs.si

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|March 11, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Myosin V, a well-studied motor protein, has several theoretical models explaining its function. This review discusses commonalities and open questions regarding its mechanical steps and lever arm flexibility.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Mechanics

Background:

  • Myosin V is the first identified processive motor protein within the myosin superfamily.
  • Extensive mechanical, kinetic, optical, and structural studies have characterized Myosin V extensively.
  • Numerous theoretical models have been developed to explain Myosin V's motor function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of existing theoretical models for Myosin V.
  • To discuss the commonalities among these theoretical models.
  • To identify and discuss unresolved questions in Myosin V research.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of theoretical models for Myosin V.
  • Comparative analysis of model predictions and experimental data.
  • Synthesis of current understanding and identification of research gaps.

Main Results:

  • Myosin V is among the most thoroughly characterized motor proteins.
  • Several theoretical models exist, with varying degrees of success in explaining Myosin V's behavior.
  • Key areas of ongoing investigation include the existence of sub-steps, run length limitation, backward steps, lever arm flexibility, and the lead head's state.

Conclusions:

  • Despite extensive research, fundamental questions remain regarding Myosin V's precise mechanism of action.
  • Further theoretical and experimental work is needed to fully elucidate the dynamics of Myosin V.
  • Understanding these details is crucial for a complete picture of cytoskeletal motor protein function.