Motor proteins pause at the ends of microtubules and stimulate their growth

Researchers at Penn State suggest that motor proteins which pause at the ends of microtubules and produce pushing forces can also stimulate their growth. The function of the proteins is a critical component in understanding cell division and nerve branching and growth. Kinesins are found in multicellular organisms. They are a family of motor proteins. They act as little engines within the cells and transport molecular cargo along microtubules. The microtubules are hollow cylinders of the protein tubulin. They are dynamic and can grow and shrink when the cell change shape. The researchers are trying to understand more about the motor and what makes the sequences unique since they carry out so many vital functions in the cells. There are forty-five different kinesin motor proteins in human body in all. The researchers tracked the movements of each one and found that motor pauses at the end of the microtubules. Later it produces pushing forces to slide the microtubules apart and allow the motor to grow the microtubules. Their findings are reported in Nature Communications recently. They bound microtubules to a microscope slide and added free tubulin subunits together with modified kinesin-5 motor proteins. The results showed that the motor proteins added improve the rate and persistence of microtubule growth. In conclusion, if we can terminate cancer cell division, new approaches in treatment will come into being. Therefore, understanding more about how kinesin-5 influences microtubule dynamics and its importance in properly segregating genetic material in cell division is of great concern. Read more as you like:http://www.cusabio.com/Clone/RSc1635-1089576.html