Issue 24, 2016

Spatiotemporal control of kinesin motor protein by photoswitches enabling selective single microtubule regulations

Abstract

Artificial control of bio-nanomachines should have a major impact on the development of controllable transport systems for specific cargo transport on chips. Precise spatiotemporal control and local regulation of the bio-motor activity will, however, be necessary if we are to accomplish such a goal. In this study, we exploited the photoswitching properties of azobenzene-based high-energy molecules and inhibitors to control a single kinesin-driven microtubule that has potential to work as a nanocarrier for molecular cargos. In particular, we could influence the local concentration and dispersion of the microtubules at any desired position and time by irradiating a local area of the motility system at one wavelength, while irradiating the entire area at another wavelength, to enrich either cis or trans isomers of photoswitches in the selected region. Furthermore, various regulations (e.g., transporting, bending, breaking) of single microtubules were possible while almost arresting ambient microtubules—all without the need for any surface patterning.

Graphical abstract: Spatiotemporal control of kinesin motor protein by photoswitches enabling selective single microtubule regulations

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
31 Aug 2016
Accepted
19 Oct 2016
First published
21 Oct 2016
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Lab Chip, 2016,16, 4702-4709

Spatiotemporal control of kinesin motor protein by photoswitches enabling selective single microtubule regulations

K. R. S. Kumar, A. S. Amrutha and N. Tamaoki, Lab Chip, 2016, 16, 4702 DOI: 10.1039/C6LC01098A

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