Molecular shuttles: directed motion of microtubules along nanoscale kinesin tracks

Abstract

Nature has evolved specialized molecules, motor proteins, to actively transport molecules over long distances. Such molecule-based energy dependent transport processes would be useful in nanotechnology or material sciences, for example to facilitate local assembly or repair processes, or to mediate rapid transport of nonbiological molecules. In an effort to elucidate how to control the movement of biological motors in synthetic environments, we use highly oriented poly(tetrafluoroethylene) films functionalized with the motor protein kinesin and find that they are able to direct the motion of microtubules in straight lines along the films' orientation axes. Potential mechanisms by which guidance occurs are discussed.