Myosin VI is an actin-based motor that moves backwards
Article Abstract:
It has been established that myosin VI, an unconventional myosin, moves towards the pointed (-) end of actin. It seems that myosin VI achieves reverse-direction movement by rotating its lever arm in the opposite direction to conventional myosin lever arm movement. This has connections with the recently proposed strategy forming the basis for direction determination within the kinesin motor family. In both the myosins and the kinesins, the motor core is preserved and direction of movement is determined by how the same nucleotide-mediated movements are interpreted and amplified by other parts of the molecule.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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The structure of the myosin VI motor reveals the mechanism of directionality reversal
Article Abstract:
A 2.4-Angstrom structure of a truncated version of the reverse-direction myosin motor, myosin VI, that contains the motor domain and binding sites for two calmodulin molecules, is solved. The structure reveals only minor differences in the motor domain from that in plus-end directed myosins, with the exception of two unique inserts.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2005
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