Motor Proteins: A Volume Based on the EMBO Workshop, Cambridge, September 1990 (Journal of Cell Science Supplement) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0948601299 ISBN 13: 9780948601293

Synopsis

Based on the findings of the EMBO workshop, this collection of articles deals with measurements of force production, the speed of motion and the directionality of force, for both single molecules and polymeric assemblies of motors. Molecular motors are miniscule force-generating machines that move along tracks inside the cell, doing work against a load. Evidence is accumulating that cells recruit appropriate motors whenever they need to change their shape, move, phagocytose or divide, as well as for the intracellular translocation of organelles and membranous vesicles. This EMBO workshop brought together people working on many different aspects of motors, principally in order to encourage the spread of emerging techniques. Recent technical advances have made it possible to measure the performance of single molecules, and thereby to narrow considerably the range of thermodynamically possible mechanisms for their action. Contributions to the book deal with measurements of force production, the speed of motion and the directionality of force, for both single molecules and polymeric assemblies of motors. Several contributors describe the effects on performance of other track-binding proteins (including other motors) and/or of experimentally altering the geometry of interaction (myosin at least can be twisted through 180 degrees and still work). Other contributions concern mechanisms for the regulation self-assembly of tracks (which on occasion may itself work as a motor) and for the regulated self-assembly of myosin polymers. Lastly, a crucial problem is to work out the mechanism by which motors are deployed appropriately by the cell to produce the right amount of force at the right time and in the right place. Contributions concerning cells and cell extracts address these questions.

Edition details

• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0948601299
• ISBN 13: 9780948601293
• Binding: Hardcover