Converting a motor to an anchor.
Myosin VI can move along actin filaments to serve as a transport motor. It is also thought to anchor vesicles or proteins to actin. How these two diverse activities, which require very different modes of interaction with actin, are mediated is not understood. Using single molecule observations, Altman et al. (2004 [this issue of Cell]) demonstrate that load applied to myosin VI can convert this motor from a transporter to an anchor.
Department of Biology, CB 1229, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
Kathryn G
KG
Miller
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; C089785:myosin VI; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains