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Related Concept Videos

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles01:43

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,...
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The force applied by fluids against a surface, known as hydrostatic pressure, initiates the transfer of fluid among different compartments. Within our blood vessels, the blood's hydrostatic pressure is a result of the heart's pumping action. At the arteriolar end of capillaries, hydrostatic pressure (capillary blood pressure) exceeds the opposing colloid osmotic pressure created primarily by plasma proteins like albumin. This discrepancy in pressure propels plasma and nutrients from the...
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Actin filaments undergo polymerization and depolymerization from either end. The polymerization and depolymerization rates depend on the cytosolic concentration of free G-actins. The polymerization rate is generally higher at the plus or barbed end, while the depolymerization rate is higher at the minus or pointed end. At a steady state, critical concentration describes the concentration of free G-actin monomers at which the polymerization rate at the plus end is equal to that of the...
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Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
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Published on: November 26, 2019

Walking molecules.

Max von Delius1, David A Leigh

  • 1School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, UK.

Chemical Society Reviews
|March 19, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Molecular motors power movement in life and inspire synthetic walkers. Researchers review biological motors and advancements in DNA and small-molecule walkers for directed transport.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Synthetic Biology

Background:

  • Molecular motors like dynein, myosin, and kinesin drive essential biological movements.
  • These protein-based motors transport cargo along cellular filaments.
  • Recent advancements have led to synthetic molecular walkers inspired by biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze biological motor proteins for insights into synthetic system design.
  • To discuss ratchet mechanisms for transporting Brownian substrates.
  • To review progress in synthetic DNA and small-molecule walker systems.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of biological motor protein families (dynein, myosin, kinesin).
  • Discussion of ratchet concepts for molecular transport.
  • Review of synthetic DNA-based and small-molecule walker systems.

Main Results:

  • Biological motors provide a blueprint for artificial molecular machines.
  • Synthetic DNA walkers demonstrate directional movement and complex task performance.
  • Small-molecule walkers, smaller and lighter than DNA systems, achieve directional transport using light or chemical fuels.

Conclusions:

  • Synthetic molecular walkers offer promising avenues for nanoscale transport and manipulation.
  • Understanding biological motor principles is crucial for designing efficient artificial systems.
  • Continued development in DNA and small-molecule walkers expands possibilities in nanotechnology.