Molecular motors: the driving force behind mammalian left-right development

The molecular motors dynein and kinesin are large protein complexes that co nvert the energy generated by ATP hydrolysis into directional movement alon g the microtubule cytoskeleton. They are required for a myriad of cellular processes, including mitotic spindle movement, axonal and vesicular transpo rt, and ciliary beating. Recently, it has been shown that, in addition, the y have a unique role during embryonic patterning they are required to orien t and establish the left-right axis in early vertebrate development.