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Engineering myosins for long-range transport on actin filaments
Tony D Schindler1, Lu Chen2, Paul Lebel3
11] Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA [2].
Nature Nanotechnology
|November 19, 2013
Summary
Engineered cytoskeletal motors with multiple heads or flexible elements show enhanced processivity for nanoscale transport. These motors enable efficient cargo movement over micrometre distances, crucial for diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cytoskeletal motors are essential cellular cargo transporters.
- High processivity is key for nanoscale motor applications in diagnostics.
- Natural myosins achieve processivity through coordinated head action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the processivity of engineered myosins.
- To explore non-natural strategies for improving motor stepping.
- To develop robust and efficient nanoscale transport systems.
Main Methods:
- Engineered myosins with three or four heads.
- Incorporated flexible elements between myosin heads.
- Systematic single-molecule characterization of motor performance.
- Designed a controllably bidirectional myosin motor.
Main Results:
- Engineered myosins demonstrated significantly enhanced processivity.
- Multi-headed and flexible-element myosins improved uncoordinated stepping.
- Developed a bidirectional myosin robust in both directions.
- Achieved the fastest processive cytoskeletal motor speed at 10 µm s(-1).
Conclusions:
- Non-natural strategies effectively enhance myosin processivity.
- Engineered motors offer improved nanoscale cargo transport capabilities.
- Developed versatile motors for potential diagnostic and detection applications.
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