Cell motility processes in non-muscle cells depend on the activity of motor proteins that bind to either microtubules or actin filaments. From presently available data it must be concluded that the driving force is generated by transient interaction of the respective motors with microtubules or actin filaments which then activates the binding and hydrolysis of ATP. This reaction results in an abrupt discharge of the motor molecule, the direction of which is determined by the spatial orientation of its binding to the helical and polar vehicle. The latter is thereby propelled in its length direction and simultaneously undergoes an axial rotation, while the expelled motor exerts an oppositely directed current in the surrounding fluid, comparable to jet propulsion. Force production, propulsion velocities and energy requirements known from in vitro studies comply with those derived from the theory. The theory opens new ways for the understanding of cellular activities such as particle transport, mitosis and morphodynamics.
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Bio Protoc
January 2025
ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
The organ of Corti, located in the inner ear, is the primary organ responsible for animal hearing. Each hair cell has a V-shaped or U-shaped hair bundle composed of actin-filled stereocilia and a kinocilium supported by true transport microtubules. Damage to these structures due to noise exposure, drug toxicity, aging, or environmental factors can lead to hearing loss and other disorders.
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January 2025
Department of Pediatrics, Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cell Biol
April 2025
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is a critical cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is generated from amyloid precursor protein (APP) through cleavages by β-secretase and γ-secretase. γ-Secretase, which includes presenilin, is regulated by several stimuli.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
January 2025
College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China. Electronic address:
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