Bidirectional cargo transport by microtubule-based molecular motors

Hoffman, Melinda

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/29460 Copy

Description

Title

Bidirectional cargo transport by microtubule-based molecular motors

Author(s)

Hoffman, Melinda

Issue Date

2012-02-01T00:47:14Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Selvin, Paul R.

Committee Member(s)

• Selvin, Paul R.
• Aksimentiev, Aleksei
• Giannetta, Russell W.

Department of Study

Physics

Discipline

Physics

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Kinesin
• dynein
• saltatory motion
• microtubule
• molecular motors
• tug of war

Abstract

We have reconstituted a simple in vitro system using only mammalian dynein and mammalian kinesin attached to a single cargo. These cargoes undergo saltatory motion typically seen in vivo, indicating that the motors engage in a tug-of-war. When the complex hits a barrier, the cargo often reverses direction. In some cases, it tries several up-and-back motions, during which time the dynein likely pulls the cargo onto a different protofilament, and is sometimes able to bypass the blockage. This explains why eliminating kinesin or dynein stops motion in both directions in vivo. We also find that mammalian dynein, but not kinesin, often takes backwards steps when under backward force. However, yeast dynein coupled with mammalian kinesin does not display these attributes, as expected.

Graduation Semester

2011-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29460

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2011 Melinda Hoffman

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