The dynein heavy chain: structure, mechanics and evolution

The translocation of dynein along microtubules is the basis for a variety o f essential cellular movements. Despite a general domain organization that is found in all the cytoskeletal meters, there are structural features of d ynein that set it apart from the other motors. These include a track-bindin g site that is located at the tip of a long projection, and six nucleotide- binding modules that together form the globular head of dynein. These uniqu e features suggest that dynein produces movement by a mechanism that is dif ferent from that used by the other motors.