Biomaterial Database

Dynein binds to and crossbridges cytoplasmic microtubules. 1979

L T Haimo, and B R Telzer, and J L Rosenbaum

Dynein isolated from Chlamydomonas flagellar axonemes binds to microtubules assembled in vitro from 6S brain tubulin dimers. The dynein arms bind periodically along the length of the microtubules with a center-to-center spacing of 24 nm, equal to the periodicity of dynein arms on intact axonemes. The arms project from the in vitro assembled microtubules at an angle of approximately 55 degrees, thereby defining microtubule polarity. Dynein cosediments with microtubules through a sucrose gradient, as demonstrated by electron microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and ATPase analysis. In addition, dynein induces crossbridging between adjacent microtubules. Darkfield microscopy reveals that microtubules containing dynein are aggregated into large bundles; electron microscopy indicates that microtubules of the same polarity are crossbridged by a regular array of arms. Viewed by darkfield microscopy, addition of ATP to crossbridged microtubules causes their disaggregation; electron microscopy shows that the majority of these microtubules are no longer crossbridged. These observations are applicable to the determination of microtubule polarity and directionality of microtubule assembly in situ and suggest a role for dynein in cytoplasmic microtubule-based cellular movements.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008870	Microtubules	Slender, cylindrical filaments found in the cytoskeleton of plant and animal cells. They are composed of the protein TUBULIN and are influenced by TUBULIN MODULATORS.	Microtubule
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002352	Carrier Proteins	Proteins that bind or transport specific substances in the blood, within the cell, or across cell membranes.	Binding Proteins,Carrier Protein,Transport Protein,Transport Proteins,Binding Protein,Protein, Carrier,Proteins, Carrier
D002696	Chlamydomonas	A genus GREEN ALGAE in the order VOLVOCIDA. It consists of solitary biflagellated organisms common in fresh water and damp soil.	Chlamydomona
D003593	Cytoplasm	The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990)	Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D004398	Dyneins	A family of multi-subunit cytoskeletal motor proteins that use the energy of ATP hydrolysis, generated by a ring of AAA ATPASES in the dynein heavy chain, to power a variety of cellular functions. Dyneins fall into two major classes based upon structural and functional criteria.	ATPase, Dynein,Adenosinetriphosphatase, Dynein,Dynein,Dynein ATPase,Dynein Adenosinetriphosphatase,Dynein Heavy Chain,Dynein Intermediate Chain,Dynein Light Chain,Dynein Light Intermediate Chain,Adenosine Triphosphatase, Dynein,Dynein Heavy Chains,Dynein Intermediate Chains,Dynein Light Chains,Dynein Light Intermediate Chains,Chain, Dynein Heavy,Chain, Dynein Intermediate,Chain, Dynein Light,Chains, Dynein Heavy,Chains, Dynein Intermediate,Chains, Dynein Light,Dynein Adenosine Triphosphatase,Heavy Chain, Dynein,Heavy Chains, Dynein,Intermediate Chain, Dynein,Intermediate Chains, Dynein,Light Chain, Dynein,Light Chains, Dynein
D005407	Flagella	A whiplike motility appendage present on the surface cells. Prokaryote flagella are composed of a protein called FLAGELLIN. Bacteria can have a single flagellum, a tuft at one pole, or multiple flagella covering the entire surface. In eukaryotes, flagella are threadlike protoplasmic extensions used to propel flagellates and sperm. Flagella have the same basic structure as CILIA but are longer in proportion to the cell bearing them and present in much smaller numbers. (From King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Flagellum
D000251	Adenosine Triphosphatases	A group of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of ATP. The hydrolysis reaction is usually coupled with another function such as transporting Ca(2+) across a membrane. These enzymes may be dependent on Ca(2+), Mg(2+), anions, H+, or DNA.	ATPases,Adenosinetriphosphatase,ATPase,ATPase, DNA-Dependent,Adenosine Triphosphatase,DNA-Dependent ATPase,DNA-Dependent Adenosinetriphosphatases,ATPase, DNA Dependent,Adenosinetriphosphatases, DNA-Dependent,DNA Dependent ATPase,DNA Dependent Adenosinetriphosphatases,Triphosphatase, Adenosine
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014404	Tubulin	A microtubule subunit protein found in large quantities in mammalian brain. It has also been isolated from SPERM FLAGELLUM; CILIA; and other sources. Structurally, the protein is a dimer with a molecular weight of approximately 120,000 and a sedimentation coefficient of 5.8S. It binds to COLCHICINE; VINCRISTINE; and VINBLASTINE.	alpha-Tubulin,beta-Tubulin,delta-Tubulin,epsilon-Tubulin,gamma-Tubulin,alpha Tubulin,beta Tubulin,delta Tubulin,epsilon Tubulin,gamma Tubulin