Molecular determinants of myosin motor properties

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Bähler
• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2001 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5311372

Myosin molecules are biomachines that produce mechanical force along the cytoskeletal actin filaments. Different myosin molecules differ considerably in their motor properties. It is thought that these differences in motor properties represent adaptations to their individually different cellular functions. We want to exploit these differences to figure out how the size of the myosin working stroke is determined and how the light chains that are associated with myosins regulate the motor properties. These studies should help to elucidate the basic chemo-mechanical mechanisms of myosin motor function and aid in the elucidation of their cellular functions.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1068: Molekulare Motoren