Myosin and Adaptation by Hair Cells

Abstract

Conclusive identification of the adaptation motor is not entirely academic. For example, a rational approach to identifying other members of the transduction apparatus is first to identify one component—the adaptation motor seems most likely—and then to identify interacting proteins using biochemical and molecular biological methods. Furthermore, once we identify the active component of the motor, we can dissect adaptation by studying purified proteins in biochemical or mechanical assays. To understand how Ca2+ and force regulate adaptation-motor activity, it may be best to examine directly the in vitro effects of these modulators both on ATPase activity and on single-molecule mechanics of the myosin isozyme responsible. The time is right to begin this analysis with myosin Iβ.***To whom correspondence should be addressed.