title: Cold-sensitive mutations of Dictyostelium myosin heavy chain highlight functional domains of the myosin motor.
abstract: Dictyostelium provides a powerful environment for characterization of myosin II function. It provides well-established biochemical methods for in vitro analysis of myosin's properties as well as an array of molecular genetic tools. The absence of myosin function results in an array of phenotypes that can be used to genetically manipulate myosin function. We have previously reported methods for the isolation and identification of rapid-effect cold-sensitive myosin II mutations in Dictyostelium. Here, we report the development and utilization of a rapid method for localizing these point mutations. We have also sequenced 19 mutants. The mutations show distinct clustering with respect to three-dimensional location and biochemically characterized functional domains of the protein. We conclude that these mutants represent powerful tools for understanding the mechanisms driving this protein motor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Stanford University, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Spudich
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017354:Point Mutation
chemical_list: D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains