Collective dynamics of processive cytoskeletal motors

Abstract

Major cellular processes are supported by various biomolecular motors that usually operate together as teams. We present an overview of the collective dynamics of processive cytokeletal motor proteins based on recent experimental and theoretical investigations. Experimental studies show that multiple motors function with different degrees of cooperativity, ranging from negative to positive. This effect depends on the mechanical properties of individual motors, the geometry of their connections, and the surrounding cellular environment. Theoretical models based on stochastic approaches underline the importance of intermolecular interactions, the properties of single motors, and couplings with cellular medium in predicting the collective dynamics. We discuss several features that specify the cooperativity in motor proteins. Based on this approach a general picture of collective dynamics of motor proteins is formulated, and the future directions and challenges are discussed.

Mechanical coupling of microtubule-dependent motor teams during peroxisome transport in Drosophila S2 cells

“…Theoretical and experimental studies proposed that opposed polarity motors compete with each other, those motors exerting more force win the tug of war and determine the cargo direction (e.g. [10,14-16]). Transport mechanisms in vivo seem to be far more complex since the selective motor recruitment to specific cargoes [17] and their interactions with several regulatory proteins (reviewed in [18]) may also bias the natural tug of war and contribute to define the organelle directionality.…”

Cargo rigidity affects the sensitivity of dynein ensembles to individual motor pausing

“…Due to its size, complexity, and dependence on a host of accessory proteins, deciphering the mechanism of dynein has been more challenging than similar efforts investigating the cytoskeletal motors in the kinesin and myosin families. Cytoskeletal motors, however, often work in ensembles in order to accomplish intracellular cargo transport tasks [see, for example, (Welte, 2004;Rai et al, 2013;Rai et al, 2016)], yet the biophysical foundations of cargo transport by motor ensembles remain largely unknown (McLaughlin et al, 2016). Cytoskeletal motors, however, often work in ensembles in order to accomplish intracellular cargo transport tasks [see, for example, (Welte, 2004;Rai et al, 2013;Rai et al, 2016)], yet the biophysical foundations of cargo transport by motor ensembles remain largely unknown (McLaughlin et al, 2016).…”

Simultaneous nano-tracking of multiple motor proteins via spectral discrimination of quantum dots

“…We believe that this measurement scheme would be useful for understanding the cooperativity of multiple motor proteins working in close proximity. While the current study only employed isolated molecules of processive linear motors for demonstration, the developed microscopy is also applicable to other subjects involving linear motor proteins, including cooperative transport of a single cargo by multiple linear motors [43][44][45] and cooperativity among multiple myosin-II heads on a thick filament of muscle [46,47]. Aside from linear motor proteins, measurement of multiple proteins in a rotatory motor system [31,32] and molecular complexes of membrane proteins [20,33] could also be potential applications.…”