12] Molecular motors and single-molecule enzymology

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter provides information on the molecular motors and single-molecule enzymology. Molecular motors are the molecular machines that perform mechanical work using the energy released from the hydrolysis of ATP. Mechanical measurements in muscle fibers are carried out extensively, whereas only a few biochemical measurements are reported. In contrast to muscle fibers, the purified protein solutions have been used for biochemical measurements at the expense of the mechanical measurements. Molecular motors—such as myosin and kinesin—are linear motors that slide along protein tracks actin and microtubule, respectively. To elucidate how the myosin molecule works, it is necessary to measure the mechanical events generated by a single myosin and ATP molecule. In the in vitro measurements of biological function, it is critical to keep the proteins intact during the measurements. In the in vitro motility assay, the immobilization of molecular motors on the glass surface is required. The immobilization of the proteins is also required for the imaging of single molecules.