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.

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 leading research groups 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. 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 c

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 leading research groups 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. 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 c
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XII
The Structural And Functional Diversity Of The Myosin Family Of Actin-Based Molecular Motors....Pages 1-34
Myosin Structure....Pages 35-54
The Myosin Family: Biochemical And Kinetic Properties....Pages 55-93
Myosin I....Pages 95-124
Myosin Ii: Sarcomeric Myosins, The Motors Of Contraction In Cardiac And Skeletal Muscles....Pages 125-169
Smooth-Muscle Myosin II....Pages 171-222
Non-Muscle Myosin II....Pages 223-264
Class III Myosins....Pages 265-287
Myosin V....Pages 289-323
Myosin VI: A Multifunctional Motor Protein....Pages 325-352
Myosin VII....Pages 353-373
Plant Myosins VIII, XI, And XIII....Pages 375-390
Class Ix Myosins....Pages 391-401
Myosin X....Pages 403-419
Myosin Class XIV And Other Myosins In Protists....Pages 421-440
Myosin XVA....Pages 441-467
Back Matter....Pages 469-475

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 leading research groups 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. 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 c
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XII
The Structural And Functional Diversity Of The Myosin Family Of Actin-Based Molecular Motors....Pages 1-34
Myosin Structure....Pages 35-54
The Myosin Family: Biochemical And Kinetic Properties....Pages 55-93
Myosin I....Pages 95-124
Myosin Ii: Sarcomeric Myosins, The Motors Of Contraction In Cardiac And Skeletal Muscles....Pages 125-169
Smooth-Muscle Myosin II....Pages 171-222
Non-Muscle Myosin II....Pages 223-264
Class III Myosins....Pages 265-287
Myosin V....Pages 289-323
Myosin VI: A Multifunctional Motor Protein....Pages 325-352
Myosin VII....Pages 353-373
Plant Myosins VIII, XI, And XIII....Pages 375-390
Class Ix Myosins....Pages 391-401
Myosin X....Pages 403-419
Myosin Class XIV And Other Myosins In Protists....Pages 421-440
Myosin XVA....Pages 441-467
Back Matter....Pages 469-475
....