Stochastic processes in nano-biomachines revealed by single molecule detection.
Proteins and their assemblies are in the size of nanometers and are exposed to thermal disturbances. Many molecular processes in these nano-biomachines are stochastic, reflecting the fact that the input energy level is comparable to that of thermal energy. These stochastic properties have been revealed by recently developed single molecule detection techniques. The movement of molecular motors, myosin, and kinesin, has been suggested to be thermally driven. Random thermal movement is biased using the energy of the ATP hydrolysis. Thus, the molecular motors may harness thermal energy. This unique mechanism may be important in understanding the operation of the biosystems.
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Toshio
T
Yanagida
Yoshiharu
Y
Ishii
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016547:Kinesins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009218:Myosins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013816:Thermodynamics
D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D009218:Myosins; D016547:Kinesins