Navigation Links
Molecular motors and brakes work together in cells

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that microtubules -- components responsible for shape, movement, and replication within cells -- use proteins that act as molecular motors and brakes to organize into their correct structure. If microtubules are not formed properly such basic functions as cell division and transport can go wrong, which may have implications in such disease processes as cancer and dementia. The study, published in the January issue of Cell, is featured on the cover of that issue.

"Up until now motors and brakes were studied separately from microtubules," says senior author Phong Tran, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology. "This study lets us have a more complete picture."

Microtubules are structures that help give shape to many types of cells, form the spindle -- a structure important in cell division -- and act as a railroad, of sorts, upon which molecular motors move protein packages for waste removal and nerve transmission.

In the Cell study, the investigators, working with fission yeast cells, showed that stable end-to-end arrays of microtubules can be achieved by a balance between the sliding by a molecular motor called klp2p and the braking of a microtubule-associated protein (MAP) called ase1p. Specifically, they showed that a preexisting "mother" microtubule acts as a platform on which a new microtubule can be formed. The new "daughter" microtubule grows and moves along the mother microtubule. In time, the daughter grows beyond the end of the mother to ultimately produce two microtubules, connected by the cross-linking MAP ase1p.

"Imagine that the daughter microtubule is a short train on the track of the mother microtubule," explains Tran. "The molecular motor is the train's engine, but the problem is that the cargo -- the molecular brakes -- gets longer, slowing down the daughter train. But when the train gets to the end of the trac
'"/>

Source:University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Molecular biology fills gaps in knowledge of bat evolution
2. Molecular machine may lead to new drugs to combat human diseases
3. Molecular Motors Cooperate In Moving Cellular Cargo, Study Shows
4. Molecular models advance the fight against malaria
5. Molecular fossils uncover link between viruses and the immune system
6. Molecular thermometers on skin cells detect heat and camphor
7. Molecular messengers perform a crucial role in the ability of injured nerve cells to heal themselves
8. Molecular steps involved in the creation of gene-silencing microRNAs identified
9. Molecular miners find pain relief drugs from the sea
10. Molecular mechanism of feather formation found
11. Molecular trigger for Huntingtons disease found
Post Your Comments:
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Rodent smoke screen 2Plate-eating good: Université de Montréal professor designs edible tableware 2Self-destructing bacteria improve renewable biofuel production 2Self-destructing bacteria improve renewable biofuel production 3Palomar to Commercialize FDA Cleared Over The Counter Home Use Wrinkle Treatment Laser Device Without Johnson 26amp 3B Johnson 5536 1Palomar to Commercialize FDA Cleared Over The Counter Home Use Wrinkle Treatment Laser Device Without Johnson 26amp 3B Johnson 5536 2Palomar to Commercialize FDA Cleared Over The Counter Home Use Wrinkle Treatment Laser Device Without Johnson 26amp 3B Johnson 5536 3Palomar to Commercialize FDA Cleared Over The Counter Home Use Wrinkle Treatment Laser Device Without Johnson 26amp 3B Johnson 5536 4Palomar to Commercialize FDA Cleared Over The Counter Home Use Wrinkle Treatment Laser Device Without Johnson 26amp 3B Johnson 5536 5Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 1Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 2Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 3Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 4Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 5Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 6Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 7Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 8Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 9Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 10Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 11Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 12Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 13Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 14Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 15Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 16Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 17Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 18Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 19Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 20Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 21Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 22Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 23Reportlinker Adds Global Top 10 Chemical Companies Industry Financial and SWOT Analysis 5530 24Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 1Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 2Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 3Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 4Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 5Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 6Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 7Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 8Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 9Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 10Reportlinker Adds The Middle Eastern Pharmaceutical Market Outlook To 2014 3A Policy environment market structure competitive landscape growth oppo 5528 11