Cell Biology International 27, 251-253  (2003)

Short communication

Isopolar microtubule arrays as a tool to determine motor protein directionality

Irina Prots, Roland Stracke, Eberhard Unger, Konrad J. Böhm

Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Beutenbergstrasse 11, D-07745 Jena, Germany

Conclusions

By application of mechanically induced flow fields, relatively large, densely packed arrays of microtubules with known polarity can be produced to determine the directionality of unknown microtubule-associated motor proteins, including not only different members of the kinesin superfamily but also dyneins. A minus-end directed motor protein will move across the isopolar microtubule arrays in the direction corresponding to that of the gliding microtubules aligned in the field; a plus-end directed motor will walk in the opposite direction. The motor proteins to be characterized can be applied either after purification from cell homogenates and attachment to artificial beads, e.g. latex beads, or together with the cell organelle they are bound to within cells.

accepted 14 October 2002