驱动蛋白颈链对接机制的研究进展

Research progress of kinesin's neck linker docking mechanism

驱动蛋白能够携带"货物"沿微管高速连续行走,在行走过程中,将ATP结合与水解释放的化学能转化为机械能。驱动蛋白的由十几个氨基酸组成的颈链周期性地与驱动蛋白头部对接和分离是其行走的关键步骤,也是驱动蛋白发力做功的关键环节。现结合本课题组最新的研究结果,对驱动蛋白颈链3个部分不同的对接机制的研究进展进行综述。驱动蛋白颈链对接机制的阐明,加深了人们对于驱动蛋白沿微管行走机制的理解,同时也为其他分子马达工作机理的研究提供了参考。

Kinesin protein can walk rapidly along microtubule with ＂cargo＂. In its walking process, kinesin can transform the chemical energy released from ATP hydrolysis to mechanical energy. Kinesin＇s neck linker consisting of tens of amino acids can dock to and undock from kinesin＇s head, which is considered to be the key step of kinesin walking and force-generating processes. This paper reviews the progress of researches related with different docking mechanisms of neck linker＇s three parts. The clarification of the docking mechanism of kinesin＇s neck linker can deepen the understanding of kinesin walking mechanism and provide a reference for research of other molecular motors.