Nanoshuttle Wear and Tear (IMAGE)

Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science

Nanoshuttle Wear and Tear

Caption

Molecular shuttles are a nanoscale transport system in which microtubules (acting as cargo carriers) are propelled by surface-adhered kinesin motor proteins. Researchers have found that as the microtubules are propelled by the kinesin motors, tubulin subunits are removed from the leading end.

Credit

Coneyl Jayasinhe for Columbia Engineering

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