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Myosin-V is a processive actin-based motor

Nature volume 400, pages 590–593 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Class-V myosins, one of 15 known classes of actin-based molecular motors, have been implicated in several forms of organelle transport1,2,3,4,5 perhaps working with microtubule-based motors such as kinesin2,3,4,6. Such movements may require a motor with mechanochemical properties distinct from those of myosin-II, which operates in large ensembles to drive high-speed motility as in muscle contraction7. Based on its function and biochemistry, it has been suggested that myosin-V may be a processive motor7,8 like kinesin9,10. Processivity means that the motor undergoes multiple catalytic cycles and coupled mechanical advances for each diffusional encounter with its track. This allows single motors to support movement of an organelle along its track. Here we provide direct evidence that myosin-V is indeed a processive actin-based motor that can move in large steps approximating the 36-nm pseudo-repeat of the actin filament.

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Figure 1: Actin-filament gliding.
Figure 2: Processive stepping by myosin-V observed using the dual-beam optical trap.
Figure 3: Step measurements.

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Acknowledgements

We thank O. Rodriguez, C. Pennisi and C. Pearson for assistance in the purification of myosin-V; T. Sulchek for assistance in AFM imaging; J. Sellers for helpful discussions; and L. Evans, V. Mermall, H. Warrick, and M. Heidecker for their comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, 94305, California, USA

    Amit D. Mehta, Ronald S. Rock, Matthias Rief & James A. Spudich

  2. Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, 06520, Connecticut, USA

    Mark S. Mooseker

  3. Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, North Carolina, USA

    Richard E. Cheney

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  1. Amit D. Mehta
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Mehta, A., Rock, R., Rief, M. et al. Myosin-V is a processive actin-based motor. Nature 400, 590–593 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/23072

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