Movements of vesicles on microtubules

Many cytoplasmic vesicles are observed to move along microtubules. Often, bidirectional movement of particles is observed on a single microtubule. We have isolated one cytoplasmic motor, kinesin, and defined another, the axoplasmic retrograde factor, which are capable of powering anionic latex beads toward the plus and minus ends of microtubules, respectively. Observations of vesicle movements show that vesicles have a defined direction of movement and that vesicles copurify with a kinesin motor activity. Current evidence suggests the hypothesis that kinesin and the retrograde motors power vesicle movements in vivo by attachment to the appropriate vesicle.