Related Experiment Videos

Monomeric kinesin head domains hydrolyze multiple ATP molecules before release from a microtubule

W Jiang1, D D Hackney

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.

Insights

This study reveals that kinesin motor protein DKH357

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Motor Proteins

Background:

  • Kinesin motor proteins are crucial for intracellular transport.
  • Understanding the kinetics of monomeric kinesin is essential for elucidating motor function.
  • DKH357 is a monomeric kinesin motor domain investigated for its ATPase activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transient kinetic mechanism of microtubule-stimulated ATP hydrolysis by the monomeric kinesin motor domain DKH357.
  • To determine the kinetic parameters governing the interaction of DKH357 with microtubules and nucleotides.
  • To explore the relationship between ATP hydrolysis, product formation, and motor-microtubule dissociation.

Main Methods:

  • Transient kinetic analysis using stopped-flow spectrophotometry.
  • Monitoring microtubule (MT) association and dissociation rates via turbidity changes.
  • Measuring ATP hydrolysis rates and product formation bursts.

Main Results:

  • DKH357 dissociation from microtubules is promoted by both ATP and ADP, with ATP being more effective at subsaturating concentrations.
  • ATP hydrolysis by DKH357 exhibits a burst of product formation, with rates comparable to steady-state hydrolysis, indicating hydrolysis is partially rate-limiting.
  • The dissociation rate of DKH357 from microtubules is coupled to the termination of the product formation burst.

Conclusions:

  • The kinetic mechanism of monomeric kinesin DKH357 involves coupled steps of ATP hydrolysis and microtubule dissociation.
  • The observed superstoichiometric burst of product formation suggests a unique kinetic pathway for DKH357.
  • These findings provide insights into the regulation of kinesin motor activity at the single-molecule level.

Related Concept Videos