Cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin in cell division and intracellular transport

Since the initial discovery of cytoplasmic dynein, it has become apparent t hat this microtubule-based motor is involved in several cellular functions including cell division and intracellular transport. Another multisubunit c omplex, dynactin, may be required for most, if not all, cytoplasmic dynein- driven activities and may provide clues to dynein's functional diversity. R ecent genetic and biochemical findings have illuminated the cellular roles of dynein and dynactin and provided insight into the functional mechanism o f this complex motor.