Millennial musings on molecular motors

Authors
Citation
Rd. Vale, Millennial musings on molecular motors, TRENDS BIOC, 24(12), 1999, pp. M38-M42
Citations number
45
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
TRENDS IN BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCES
ISSN journal
09680004 → ACNP
Volume
24
Issue
12
Year of publication
1999
Pages
M38 - M42
Database
ISI
SICI code
0968-0004(199912)24:12<M38:MMOMM>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
In a universe that is dominated by increasing entropy, living organisms are a curious anomaly. The organization that distinguishes Living organisms fr om their inanimate surroundings relies upon their ability to execute vector ial processes, such as directed movements and the assembly of macromolecule s and organelle systems. Many of these phenomena are executed by molecular motors that harness chemical potential energy to perform mechanical work an d unidirectional motion. This article explores how these remarkable protein machines might have evolved and what roles they could play in biological a nd medical research in the coming decades.