Non-muscle Myosin II Motor Proteins in Human Health and Diseases

Abstract

Man-made machines mediate a diverse range of human activities in modern world, so are natural myosin motor proteins in driving multiple aspects of cellular life. Myosins belong to a special group of proteins called mechanochemical enzymes or colloquially molecular machines/motor proteins because of their ability to move on intracellular tracks and convert cellular free energy released from ATP into mechanical work. Every cell in the human body is equipped with polymerization, cytoskeletal, rotary, nucleic acid, myosin III, and prestin type motor proteins. These molecular machines with cell-specific expression perform dedicated functions perhaps as a part of nature’s strategy for cell origin and diversification. The mechanical work performed by these cellular motor proteins intersects with every facet of cell biology. Indeed, these motor proteins drive several cellular activities that are essential for mediating reproduction, childbirth, growth, development, immunity, and singing a courtship song in fruit flies as well as predisposing human beings to a certain degree of risk for various pathological conditions and diseases. No biological cell can function and operate without the involvement of these multifunctional molecular machines. The present chapter is about the discovery, current understanding, and recent advances in various aspects of myosin motor proteins as well as their regulation and relevance to human health and diseases.