Is peptide bond cis/trans isomerization a key stage in the chemo-mechanical cycle of motor proteins?

FASEB J. 2004 May;18(7):783-9. doi: 10.1096/fj.03-1027hyp.

Abstract

Motor proteins such as myosin and kinesin are responsible for actively directed movement in vivo. The physicochemical mechanism underlying their function is still obscure. A novel and unifying model concerning the motors driving mechanism is suggested here. This model resides within the framework of the well-studied "swinging lever-arm" hypothesis, stating that cis/trans peptide bond isomerization (CTI) is a key stage in the chemo-mechanical coupling within actomyosin--the complex of the motor (myosin) and its specific track (actin). CTI is suggested to propel myosin's lever-arm swing. The model addresses on the submolecular level a broad spectrum of actomyosin's functional characteristics, such as kinetics, energetics, force exertion, stepping, and directionality. The model may be tested first with relative ease in kinesin--a smaller motor that could be specifically modified with unnatural amino acids using bacterial expression. Suggested modifications may be used for labeling and functional decoupling.

MeSH terms

  • Actomyosin / chemistry
  • Actomyosin / physiology
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / physiology
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Energy Transfer
  • Isomerism
  • Kinesins / chemistry
  • Kinesins / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / chemistry*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / physiology
  • Myosins / physiology
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / physiology
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Rabbits
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • cis-trans-Isomerases / physiology*

Substances

  • Molecular Motor Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Actomyosin
  • Myosins
  • Kinesins
  • cis-trans-Isomerases
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase