Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
10:46
Motility of Single Molecules and Clusters of Bi-Directional Kinesin-5 Cin8 Purified from S. cerevisiae Cells
Published on: February 2, 2022
Walking, hopping, diffusing and braking modes of kinesin-5.
Kuniyoshi Kaseda1, Andrew D McAinsh, Robert A Cross
1Molecular Motors Laboratory, Marie Curie Research Institute, Trevereux Hill, Limpsfield Chart, Oxted, Surrey, UK. k.kaseda@mcri.ac.uk
Biochemical Society Transactions
|September 17, 2009
Summary
Kinesin-5 (Eg5) motor proteins cross-link and slide microtubules to form bipolar spindles. Recent research explores Eg5
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Molecular Motors
Background:
- Kinesin-5 (Eg5) is a crucial molecular motor protein.
- Eg5 cross-links antiparallel microtubules and slides them apart.
- This action is essential for bipolar spindle formation during cell division.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding Eg5 functions.
- To discuss in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of Eg5.
- To integrate new findings with the authors' recent work.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Eg5 research.
- Analysis of in vitro biophysical studies.
- Examination of in vivo cell biological experiments.
Main Results:
- Eg5's role in microtubule cross-linking and sliding is confirmed.
- New insights into Eg5 regulation and dynamics are emerging.
- Integration of in vitro and in vivo data provides a more comprehensive view.
Conclusions:
- Eg5 is vital for establishing spindle bipolarity.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate Eg5's complex mechanisms.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge and highlights future directions.
Related Concept Videos
01:43The 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,...
01:32Microtubule 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...
01:45Destabilization of Microtubules
The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
01:39Anaphase 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.
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
01:05Mechanism of Ciliary Motion
The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
01:24Microtubules 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...