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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,...
Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

Mechanism 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.
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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...
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
Pinching-off of Coated Vesicles01:32

Pinching-off of Coated Vesicles

Vesicle budding is orchestrated by distinct cytosolic proteins such as adaptor proteins, coat proteins, and GTPases. To initiate vesicle budding, membrane-bending proteins containing crescent-shaped BAR domains bind to the lipid heads in the bilayer and distort the membrane to form a protein-coated vesicle bud. Adaptors proteins such as AP2 for clathrin-coated vesicles can nucleate on the deformed membrane. Finally, coat proteins such as clathrin or COPI and COPII assemble into a coat forming...
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Microtubules 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation
08:09

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation

Published on: October 15, 2019

Big steps toward understanding dynein.

Masahide Kikkawa1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. mkikkawa@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp

The Journal of Cell Biology
|July 10, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Dynein, a crucial motor protein, has had its structure and function elucidated through advanced techniques. This research provides key insights into its force-generating mechanism for various cellular processes.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Production of Dynein and Kinesin Motor Ensembles on DNA Origami Nanostructures for Single Molecule Observation
08:09

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Published on: October 15, 2019

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Published on: August 13, 2016

Isolation and Purification of Kinesin from Drosophila Embryos
09:49

Isolation and Purification of Kinesin from Drosophila Embryos

Published on: April 27, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dynein is a vital microtubule-based motor protein essential for cellular functions like axonal transport, mitosis, and ciliary movement.
  • Despite its discovery 50 years ago, dynein research has been historically limited by its large size and complex, flexible structure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the force-generating mechanism of dynein.
  • To provide key insights into the structure and mechanism of action of this complex motor protein.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography
  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)
  • Single-molecule studies

Main Results:

  • Recent advancements in structural biology and single-molecule biophysics have enabled detailed investigation of dynein.
  • Key insights into the structural basis of dynein's force generation have been obtained.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced imaging and biophysical techniques have overcome previous limitations in studying dynein.
  • A deeper understanding of dynein's structure and mechanism is now achievable, facilitating further research into its biological roles.