Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
10:11
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Motion Dynamics of the Eukaryotic Replisome Components at the Single-Molecule Level
Published on: July 26, 2024
1.5K
Helicases as molecular motors: An insight
Narendra Tuteja1, Renu Tuteja1
1International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India.
Physica A
|April 15, 2020
Summary
Helicases are molecular motors that unwind DNA and RNA, crucial for cellular processes like replication and repair. Defects in helicase genes are linked to human diseases, including cancer and premature aging.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Helicases are essential ATP-dependent molecular motors.
- They unwind duplex nucleic acids, vital for DNA/RNA metabolism.
- Over 100 helicases have been identified across species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of helicases.
- Covering their history, properties, and functions.
- Including their role in human diseases and mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on helicases.
- Analysis of conserved motifs and structural folds.
- Examination of biochemical assays and functional studies.
Main Results:
- Helicases share conserved motifs and structural folds.
- They are involved in replication, repair, transcription, and translation.
- Helicase gene defects cause human genetic disorders like cancer.
Conclusions:
- Helicases are fundamental to genome integrity.
- Their dysfunction leads to various human diseases.
- Recent discoveries highlight their role in plant stress signaling.
Related Concept Videos
00:55DNA Helicases
23.6K
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...
23.6K
01:32Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins
9.8K
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...
9.8K
01:58Mechanical Protein Functions
5.4K
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.
5.4K
01:43The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles
5.8K
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,...
5.8K
01:37Energy to Drive Translocation
2.6K
Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
2.6K
01:39Anaphase A and B
5.2K
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...
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
5.2K