Ebook: Myosins: A Superfamily of Molecular Motors

Few would have predicted 20 years ago that myosins constitute a superfamily with at least two-dozen classes and that these molecular motors are involved in a multitude of intracellular activities including cell division, cell movement, intracellular transport and signal transduction. Application of state-of-the-art cellular and molecular biological, structural biological, genetic, biochemical and biophysical techniques has provided and continues to provide critical information regarding the structure–function relationship; and the cellular roles of various myosins in organisms as diverse as protozoa, yeast, plants and higher animals. The association of myosins with diseases including neurological disorders, immu- deficiencies, cardiomyopathies, hearing and vision loss testify to the importance of understanding the biochemical properties and cellular roles of myosins. The 16 chapters in this volume summarize the tremendous progress made in studying members of the myosin superfamily in recent years and offer critical insight into what future research will yield. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the authors of this volume. It was a pleasure to work with each of you and I thank you for the considerable efforts in making this international endeavor possible. I also thank John Trinick from the University of Leeds, UK, for the elegant montage of images of single molecules of myosins on the cover, which beautifully shows the structures of some of these amazing molecules. The able assistance of Marlies Vlot from Springer and Indumadhi Srinivasan from Integra Software Services for production of the book is greatly appreciated.

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This volume highlights the remarkable superfamily of molecular motors called myosins, which are involved in such diverse cellular functions as muscle contraction, intracellular transport, cell migration and cell division. In a timely compilation of chapters written by some of the leading research groups in the world that have made key discoveries in the field, the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of these intriguing proteins is explored. The different myosin classes are compared and contrasted in the introductory chapter, as well as chapters on myosin structure; and biochemical and kinetic properties of myosins. Subsequent chapters are devoted to single classes of myosins and provide keen insight based on studies using in vitro and in vivo systems into how particular myosins are designed for their intracellular roles. This highly authoritative and comprehensive volume includes current information on myosin mutations, which are responsible for diseases such as cardiomyopathies, immunodeficiences and neurological disorders, as well as hearing and vision defects. Written in an intelligible and coherent manner and presented in a format such that minimal background knowledge is needed, this indexed volume will be useful not only to those interested in learning about molecular motors, but as a crucial reference for researchers.