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Fundamental Properties and Structure of Myosin

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Encyclopedia of Biophysics

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Synonyms

Structural basis of myosin motility; Structural features common to all myosin classes

Definition

Myosins are a superfamily of molecular motors that convert the chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis into directed motion along the filamentous protein actin.

Introduction

Within the myosin superfamily, there are numerous classes that are responsible for a wide range of cellular processes requiring generation of force and motion, including organelle trafficking, cellular motion, cytokinesis, and muscle contraction (reviewed in (Foth et al. 2006)). The goal of this review is to discuss the common myosin structural features that allow these motors to convert the chemical energy associated with ATP hydrolysis into force and motion.

Myosin Nomenclature

A detailed description of myosin nomenclature can be found in Myosin family classification; a brief overview is presented here. The term myosin was originally used to describe the protein responsible for force generation in the thick...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Willamette University, Salem, OR, USA

    David Altman

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  1. David Altman
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Correspondence to David Altman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University Leicester MRC Centre, Leicester, UK

    Gordon Roberts

  2. Dept Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Anthony Watts

Section Editor information

  1. Departments of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Physics and Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Dilson E. Rassier

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Altman, D. (2021). Fundamental Properties and Structure of Myosin. In: Roberts, G., Watts, A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Biophysics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35943-9_753-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35943-9_753-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-35943-9

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