Tuning multiple motor travel via single motor velocity.
Microtubule-based molecular motors often work in small groups to transport cargos in cells. A key question in understanding transport (and its regulation in vivo) is to identify the sensitivity of multiple-motor-based motion to various single molecule properties. Whereas both single-motor travel distance and microtubule binding rate have been demonstrated to contribute to cargo travel, the role of single-motor velocity is yet to be explored. Here, we recast a previous theoretical study, and make explicit a potential contribution of velocity to cargo travel. We test this possibility experimentally, and demonstrate a strong negative correlation between single-motor velocity and cargo travel for transport driven by two motors. Our study thus discovers a previously unappreciated role of single-motor velocity in regulating multiple-motor transport.
Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. jing.xu@ucmerced.edu
Jing
J
Xu
Zhanyong
Z
Shu
Stephen J
SJ
King
Steven P
SP
Gross
D000818:Animals; D016547:Kinesins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D021381:Protein Transport; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
D014404:Tubulin; D016547:Kinesins