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Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

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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...
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The Mitotic Spindle02:27

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The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
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Anaphase A and B01:39

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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.
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During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
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Spindle Assembly02:50

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Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
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Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
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Motor function in interpolar microtubules during metaphase.

J M Deutsch1, Ian P Lewis1

  • 1Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, United States.

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|January 24, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Microtubule movement is influenced by fluctuating motor protein densities, modeled as a random walk. While antagonistic motors restrict movement, variations in motor concentration offer better control over spindle length.

Keywords:
FluctuationsMitotic spindleMotility assaysRandom walksStochastic modeling

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Motor Proteins

Background:

  • Microtubule dynamics are crucial for cell division.
  • Kinesin motor proteins (KLP61F and Ncd) play antagonistic roles in regulating microtubule interactions.
  • Stochastic variations in motor protein density have been proposed to drive microtubule movement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that microtubule movement arises from stochastic variations in motor protein densities.
  • To model microtubule gliding assays using a one-dimensional random walk in a random environment.
  • To compare experimental observations with theoretical predictions for motor protein-mediated microtubule dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of experimental motility assays involving microtubules and two kinesin motor proteins (KLP61F and Ncd).
  • Mathematical modeling of microtubule movement as a one-dimensional random walk in a random environment.
  • Comparison of theoretical predictions for fluctuation amplitude with experimental data.

Main Results:

  • The proposed model of stochastic motor protein density variations accurately predicts the amplitude of microtubule fluctuations.
  • An initial transient movement of the microtubule, on the order of its own length, was identified.
  • Randomly positioned antagonistic motors imperfectly restrict relative microtubule movement.

Conclusions:

  • Stochastic variations in motor protein density provide a viable mechanism for microtubule motility.
  • Antagonistic motor proteins can regulate microtubule interactions, but with limitations.
  • Modulating motor protein concentrations offers a potential strategy for enhanced control of mitotic spindle length.