Modulation of Kinesin's Load-Bearing Capacity by Force Geometry and the Microtubule Track.

ABSTRACT: Kinesin motors and their associated microtubule tracks are essential for long-distance transport of cellular cargos. Intracellular activity and proper recruitment of kinesins is regulated by biochemical signaling, cargo adaptors, microtubule-associated proteins, and mechanical forces. In this study, we found that the effect of opposing forces on the kinesin-microtubule attachment duration depends strongly on experimental assay geometry. Using optical tweezers and the conventional single-bead assay, we show that detachment of kinesin from the microtubule is likely accelerated by forces vertical to the long axis of the microtubule due to contact of the single bead with the underlying microtubule. We used the three-bead assay to minimize the vertical force component and found that when the op

SUBMITTER: Pyrpassopoulos S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6952184 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature