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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation
Published on: October 15, 2019
Collective behavior of antagonistically acting kinesin-1 motors
Cecile Leduc1, Nenad Pavin, Frank Jülicher
1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden 01307, Germany.
Abstract:
In many subcellular force-generating systems, groups of motor proteins act antagonistically. Here, we present an experimental study of the tug of war between superprocessive kinesin-1 motors acting on antiparallel microtubule doublets in vitro. We found distinct modes of slow and fast movements, as well as sharp transitions between these modes and regions of coexistence. We compare our experimental results to a quantitative theory based on the physical properties of individual motors. Our results show that mechanical interactions between motors can collectively generate coexisting transport regimes with distinct velocities.
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