Myosin Va and myosin VI coordinate their steps while engaged in an in vitro tug of war during cargo transport

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Aug 23;108(34):E535-41. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1104298108. Epub 2011 Aug 1.

Abstract

Myosin Va (myoV) and myosin VI (myoVI) are processive molecular motors that transport cargo in opposite directions on actin tracks. Because these motors may bind to the same cargo in vivo, we developed an in vitro "tug of war" to characterize the stepping dynamics of single quantum-dot-labeled myoV and myoVI motors linked to a common cargo. MyoV dominates its myoVI partner 79% of the time. Regardless of which motor wins, its stepping rate slows due to the resistive load of the losing motor (myoV, 2.1 pN; myoVI, 1.4 pN). Interestingly, the losing motor steps backward in synchrony with the winning motor. With ADP present, myoVI acts as an anchor to prevent myoV from stepping forward. This model system emphasizes the physical communication between opposing motors bound to a common cargo and highlights the potential for modulating this interaction by changes in the cell's ionic milieu.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Adenosine Diphosphate / pharmacology
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / metabolism*
  • Myosin Type V / metabolism*
  • Sus scrofa

Substances

  • myosin VI
  • Adenosine Diphosphate
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Myosin Type V
  • Myosin Heavy Chains