Dyneiini

Dyneiini, also known as Dynein, is a family of molecular motors that play a crucial role in various cellular processes. These proteins are responsible for transporting cargo along microtubules, which are part of the cell's cytoskeleton. Dynein motors are found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, although their structure and function can vary between these two domains of life.

Dynein molecules are composed of multiple subunits, including heavy chains, intermediate chains, and light chains. The heavy chains contain the motor domain, which is responsible for the ATP-driven movement of the dynein molecule along the microtubule. The intermediate and light chains provide structural support and additional regulatory functions.

Dynein motors are involved in a wide range of cellular activities, including intracellular transport, cell division, and ciliary and flagellar motility. For example, in eukaryotic cells, dynein is essential for the movement of organelles such as mitochondria and endosomes along microtubules. In cilia and flagella, dynein motors generate the beating motion that propels these structures.

Dynein motors can move in either the plus-end or minus-end direction along microtubules, depending on the specific dynein isoform and the cellular context. This bidirectional movement allows dynein to perform various functions, such as cargo transport and force generation.

Dynein motors are also involved in several diseases, including primary ciliary dyskinesia, a genetic disorder characterized by defective ciliary motility, and some forms of neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the structure and function of dynein motors is therefore of great interest in the fields of cell biology, genetics, and medicine.