Dynamic catch-bonding generates the large stall forces of cytoplasmic dynein

Cytoplasmic dynein.

The organization and function of eukaryotic cells rely on the action of many different molecular motor proteins. Cytoplasmic dynein drives the movement of a wide range of cargoes towards the minus ends of microtubules, and these events are needed, not just at the single-cell level, but are vital for correct development. In the present paper, I review recent progress on understanding dynein's me...

Cytoplasmic dynein nomenclature

A variety of names has been used in the literature for the subunits of cytoplasmic dynein complexes. Thus, there is a strong need for a more definitive consensus statement on nomenclature. This is especially important for mammalian cytoplasmic dyneins, many subunits of which are encoded by multiple genes. We propose names for the mammalian cytoplasmic dynein subunit genes and proteins that refl...

Reconstitution of the human cytoplasmic dynein complex.

Cytoplasmic dynein is the major motor protein responsible for microtubule minus-end-directed movements in most eukaryotic cells. It transports a variety of cargoes and has numerous functions during spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. It is a large complex of about 1.4 MDa composed of six different subunits, interacting with a multitude of different partners. Most biochemical studies ha...

Targeted dynein inhibition generates flagellar beating

Visualizing dynamic cytoplasmic forces with a compliance-matched FRET sensor.

Mechanical forces are ubiquitous modulators of cell activity but little is known about the mechanical stresses in the cell. Genetically encoded FRET-based force sensors now allow the measurement of local stress in specific host proteins in vivo in real time. For a minimally invasive probe, we designed one with a mechanical compliance matching that of many common cytoskeleton proteins. sstFRET i...