Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Video imaging of walking myosin V by high-speed atomic force microscopy

In living systems, molecules called molecular motors convert chemical energy into mechanical motion, and are essential for many life processes including intracellular transport, cell division, and muscle contraction. Myosin V is a type of molecular motor that transports cargo through cells by "walking" along filaments.
Here's a diagram that shows a clearer picture of what's happening. It's amazing that they were able to capture video of such a tiny phenomenon, its steps are only 74nm and it 'walks' at ~380 nm/s.

And a rendered video of the process in a white blood cell (leukocyte). I linked to the relevant time, but recommend watching the entire thing.
Video of individual carbon atoms was featured previously on the blog.

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