November 1, 1997
View Full PaperThe Design Plan of Kinesin Motors
Key Result
This review describes how the structural features of kinesin motor proteins relate to their biological functions, motile properties, and use of ATP hydrolysis to move along microtubules.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Kinesin superfamily of microtubule-based motor proteins
This review summarizes the structural features and force-generating mechanisms of the kinesin superfamily of motor proteins.
Abstract
The kinesin superfamily comprises a large and structurally diverse group of microtubule-based motor proteins that produce a variety of force-generating activities within cells. This review addresses how the structures of kinesin proteins provide clues as to their biological functions and motile properties. We discuss structural features common to all kinesin motors, as well as specialized features that enable subfamilies of related motors to carry out specialized activities. We also discuss how the kinesin motor domain uses chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis to move along microtubules.