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Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

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...
Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

Mechanical Protein Functions

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. 
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,...
DNA Helicases00:55

DNA Helicases

DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates...
Anaphase A and B01:39

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.
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
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. 

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In vitro Assembly of Semi-artificial Molecular Machine and its Use for Detection of DNA Damage
08:56

In vitro Assembly of Semi-artificial Molecular Machine and its Use for Detection of DNA Damage

Published on: January 11, 2012

Molecular machines.

Ron Elber1, Serdal Kirmizialtin

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th St., Stop A5300 Austin, TX 78712-0165, USA. ron@ices.utexas.edu

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|January 12, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Molecular machines (MM) are vital cell components. Computational studies reveal their conformational transitions and narrow reaction pathways, linking structure to function through detailed models.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Computational Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Molecular machines (MM) are fundamental to cellular processes, performing mechanical work and facilitating transport.
  • Their functions are intrinsically linked to significant conformational transitions.
  • Understanding these transitions is key to deciphering cellular mechanics and dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss computational approaches for studying molecular machine conformational transitions.
  • To explore the relationship between molecular structure, dynamics, and function.
  • To propose a framework for building atomically detailed models of molecular machines.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing coarse-grained descriptions based on mass density and shape to infer directions of action.
  • Employing evolutionary analyses of homologous machines to support hypotheses on reaction pathways.
  • Developing atomically detailed models by integrating structural and functional data.

Main Results:

  • Coarse descriptions provide valuable insights into the operational dynamics of molecular machines.
  • Evidence suggests that molecular machines operate via well-focused and narrow reaction pathways.
  • Atomic-level models successfully link molecular structure to kinetic and thermodynamic functions.

Conclusions:

  • Computational and evolutionary analyses are powerful tools for understanding molecular machines.
  • The concept of narrow reaction pathways is supported by biological evidence.
  • Enhanced sampling techniques are crucial for building accurate, function-predicting models of molecular machines.