Reverse engineering of biomolecular motors

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15110
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biophysics
• Research Institution: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
• Principal Investigator: Furuta Akane 国立研究開発法人情報通信研究機構, 未来ICT研究所フロンティア創造総合研究室, 特別研究員 (10772337)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 分子モーター / キネシン / ダイニン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Biomolecular motors are protein machines that can drive directional movement along cytoskeletal tracks and thus produce mechanical works in the cell. Although previous studies on biomolecular motors have provided information about important features and structures for motility, the design principles for directional movement is still unknown. In this study, we focused on kinesin, one of biomolecular motors that generate directed movement toward the plus end of microtubules. To reveal the directionality determinant of kinesin movement, we took a constructive approach where components that comprise kinesin molecule are randomly permuted and assembled to create a new series of kinesin motors. To our surprise, one of these kinesins showed minus-end directed movement on microtubules, which is opposite to that of the original kinesin. Further analyses of the new minus end-directed kinesin will allow us to unveil the directionality determinants of kinesin motors.

Free Research Field

生物物理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，生物分子モーター、キネシンの動作原理を，多数の類似物を創ることによって帰納的に理解するという新しい発想に基づくものである。この手法で、オリジナルのキネシンと同じモジュール構成でありながら、モジュール同士の組み上げ方が異なるだけで、運動方向性が逆転する新しいキネシンを得ることに成功した。分子構造のどのような要素が運動方向性を決めているのかを理解することができれば、自然界から教えられた設計原理をそっくり移植することで，タンパク質に限らず，他の有機材料を用いた新たな分子マシンの開発にもつながると期待できる．