Myosin-V motility: these levers were made for walking

Trends Cell Biol. 2003 Sep;13(9):447-51. doi: 10.1016/s0962-8924(03)00172-7.

Abstract

Myosin-Va, a processive actin-based motor thought to be involved in organelle transport, now stands ready to join myosin-II (from muscle) as one of the most highly characterized members of the myosin superfamily. Recent reports from the laboratories of Goldman and colleagues and Selvin and colleagues have provided unprecedented, high-resolution views of the structural changes that take place while this motor moves along its track. Taken together, the new results indicate that myosin-Va tilts its light chain binding domains to 'walk' along actin in a hand-over-hand fashion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Movement*
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / metabolism*
  • Myosin Type V / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Molecular Motor Proteins
  • Myosin Type V
  • Myosin Heavy Chains