Past work has established that many important cargos move bi-directionally along microtubules, and that the distribution and net transport of such cargos can be controlled by regulating the relative contributions of the plus-end versus minus-end motors. It has also established that multiple plus-end and multiple minus-end motors function together. However, both the fundamental mechanism of regulation of such transport is unclear, as is the importance (and regulation) of the number of engaged motors. The work proposed here will lead to a much deeper understanding both of the regulation of transport, and also of the control and importance of motor number in this regulation. Specifically, bi-directional motion of lipid droplets in early Drosophila embryos is investigated. The work can be conceptually divided into two complimentary approaches. In the first, we develop and critically test a theoretical model for how this transport is controlled by tuning single-molecule properties. The theoretical approach is an extension of our past modeling of transport driven by multiple kinesin motors, and rely on Monte Carlo simulations. The theoretical predictions are then tested using genetics to alter protein dosage of the motors, and also specific point mutants. Some of the testing of the model relies on quantifying-in vivo-the motion of individual cargos with high temporal and spatial resolution, and determining if the motion is consistent with the model's prediction. In the second, we focus on the regulation of the number of engaged motors and their force production, as controlled by the klar protein. We use a variety of biophysical characterizations to determine the effects of klar mutations. In particular, we use optical tweezers and particle tracking and analysis to determine the specific physical role of different domains of the klar protein, and then use complementary biochemical and cell biological techniques to determine the molecular interactions underpinning these physical roles. This information will clarify at the molecular level how the biophysically determined functions come about, and because we have already shown that klar regulates force production (and likely number of engaged motors), the study will directly probe how the number of engaged motors is controlled, and the functional implications of this control.

Public Health Relevance

Bi-directional transport is directly related to public health: viruses such as herpes spread through cells in a bi-directional manner;many important cargos like mitochondria and endosomes move bi-directionally. Impaired vesicular transport is implicated in Neuronal degeneration. Finally, a better understanding of transport might allow the design of new drug delivery systems.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM064624-09
Application #
8306183
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-G (02))
Program Officer
Gindhart, Joseph G
Project Start
2002-07-01
Project End
2013-06-30
Budget Start
2012-07-01
Budget End
2013-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$289,191
Indirect Cost
$78,469
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
046705849
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92697
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Goulet, Adeline; Major, Jennifer; Jun, Yonggun et al. (2014) Comprehensive structural model of the mechanochemical cycle of a mitotic motor highlights molecular adaptations in the kinesin family. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:1837-42
Mattson-Hoss, Michelle K; Niitani, Yamato; Gordon, Elizabeth A et al. (2014) CK2 activates kinesin via induction of a conformational change. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:7000-5
Gaspar, Imre; Yu, Yanxun V; Cotton, Sean L et al. (2014) Klar ensures thermal robustness of oskar localization by restraining RNP motility. J Cell Biol 206:199-215
Bohannon, Kevin Patrick; Jun, Yonggun; Gross, Steven P et al. (2013) Differential protein partitioning within the herpesvirus tegument and envelope underlies a complex and variable virion architecture. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:E1613-20
Herms, Albert; Bosch, Marta; Ariotti, Nicholas et al. (2013) Cell-to-cell heterogeneity in lipid droplets suggests a mechanism to reduce lipotoxicity. Curr Biol 23:1489-96

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