Abstract
Single molecule experiments have revealed that even under conditions of no load, backward stepping constitutes about 20 percent of cytoplasmic dynein's steps. Sideward steps are also common, and the motor's step size distribution is very broad. Such stepping flexibility might allow dynein to efficiently navigate the crowded cellular environment and avoid obstacles. However, the high speed and processivity of the motor implies strong coordination of its two heads. The idea of head coordination through a direct physical interaction seems plausible based on structural considerations, but such a mechanism raises the question of how tight coordination and stepping flexibility are simultaneously accomplished. We use physical reasoning and mathematical modeling to explore mechanisms that optimize these two opposing motor properties.
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