Session V7: Piconewtons and Nanometers: The Physics of Molecular Motors
8:00 AM–11:00 AM, Thursday, March 18, 2010
Room: Portland Ballroom 254
Sponsoring Unit:
DBP
Chair: Ned Wingreen, Princeton University
Abstract ID: BAPS.2010.MAR.V7.2
Abstract: V7.00002 : Modeling of Single Molecule Cytoplasmic Dynein
8:36 AM–9:12 AM
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Abstract 
Author:
Clare Yu
(University of California, Irvine)
A living cell has an infrastructure much like that of a city. We will describe the transportation system that consists of roads (filaments) and molecular motors (proteins) that haul cargo along these roads. Dynein is one type of motor protein that walks along microtubules towards the nucleus of the cell. Dynein is more complicated in its structure and function than other motors. Experiments have found that, unlike other motors, dynein can take different size steps along microtubules depending on load and ATP concentration. We use Monte Carlo simulations to model the molecular motor function of cytoplasmic dynein at the single molecule level. The theory relates dynein's enzymatic properties to its mechanical force production. Our simulations reproduce the main features of recent single molecule experiments. We make testable predictions that should guide future experiments related to dynein function.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2010.MAR.V7.2