Tuning the "roadblock" effect in kinesin-based transport.
Major efforts are underway to harness motor proteins for technical applications. Yet how to best attach cargo to microtubules that serve as kinesin-driven "molecular shuttles" without compromising transport performance remains challenging. Furthermore, microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) can block motor protein-powered transport in neurons, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. Again it is unclear how different physical roadblock parameters interfere with the stepping motion of kinesins. Here, we employ a series of MAPs, tailored (strept)avidins, and DNA as model roadblocks and determine how their geometrical, nanomechanical, and electrochemical properties can reduce kinesin-mediated transport. Our results provide insights into kinesin transport regulation and might facilitate the choice of appropriate cargo linkers for motor protein-driven transport devices.
Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Claudia
C
Schmidt
Bokyung
B
Kim
Henrik
H
Grabner
Jonas
J
Ries
Markku
M
Kulomaa
Viola
V
Vogel
D001360:Avidin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D016547:Kinesins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D019809:Streptavidin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D001360:Avidin; D004247:DNA; D019809:Streptavidin; D016547:Kinesins