SCIENCE OUTREACH
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
Ron Vale's movies of motor proteins
Myosin Myosin molecules of the thick filaments of muscle "walk" along actin filaments, using ATP as a source of energy. ATP causes a series of shape changes in the myosin protein, which enables the myosin-actin network to cause muscles to contract. Kinesin Kinesin molecules "walk" along microtubules, using ATP as a source of energy. ATP causes a series of shape changes in the kinesin protein. Kinesin "tails" attach to various kinds of cargo, enabling cells to move things from one place to another (for example, to carry things from the cell body of a neuron to the tip of the axon).
last updated: Aug. 11, 2010
