Temperature dependence of nucleotide association and kinetic characterization of myo1b

Pathophysiology of human hearing loss associated with variants in myosins

Deleterious variants of more than one hundred genes are associated with hearing loss including MYO3A, MYO6, MYO7A and MYO15A and two conventional myosins MYH9 and MYH14. Variants of MYO7A also manifest as Usher syndrome associated with dysfunction of the retina and vestibule as well as hearing loss. While the functions of MYH9 and MYH14 in the inner ear are debated, MYO3A, MYO6, MYO7A and MYO15A are expressed in inner ear hair cells along with class-I myosin MYO1C and are essential for developing and maintaining functional stereocilia on the apical surface of hair cells. Stereocilia are large, cylindrical, actin-rich protrusions functioning as biological mechanosensors to detect sound, acceleration and posture. The rigidity of stereocilia is sustained by highly crosslinked unidirectionally-oriented F-actin, which also provides a scaffold for various proteins including unconventional myosins and their cargo. Typical myosin molecules consist of an ATPase head motor domain to transmit forces to F-actin, a neck containing IQ-motifs that bind regulatory light chains and a tail region with motifs recognizing partners. Instead of long coiled-coil domains characterizing conventional myosins, the tails of unconventional myosins have various motifs to anchor or transport proteins and phospholipids along the F-actin core of a stereocilium. For these myosins, decades of studies have elucidated their biochemical properties, interacting partners in hair cells and variants associated with hearing loss. However, less is known about how myosins traffic in a stereocilium using their motor function, and how each variant correlates with a clinical condition including the severity and onset of hearing loss, mode of inheritance and presence of symptoms other than hearing loss. Here, we cover the domain structures and functions of myosins associated with hearing loss together with advances, open questions about trafficking of myosins in stereocilia and correlations between hundreds of variants in myosins annotated in ClinVar and the corresponding deafness phenotypes.

Myosin-I Synergizes with Arp2/3 Complex to Enhance Pushing Forces of Branched Actin Networks

Myosin-Is colocalize with Arp2/3 complex-nucleated actin networks at sites of membrane protrusion and invagination, but the mechanisms by which myosin-I motor activity coordinates with branched actin assembly to generate force are unknown. We mimicked the interplay of these proteins using the "comet tail" bead motility assay, where branched actin networks are nucleated by Arp2/3 complex on the surface of beads coated with myosin-I and the WCA domain of N-WASP. We observed that myosin-I increased bead movement efficiency by thinning actin networks without affecting growth rates. Remarkably, myosin-I triggered symmetry breaking and comet-tail formation in dense networks resistant to spontaneous fracturing. Even with arrested actin assembly, myosin-I alone could break the network. Computational modeling recapitulated these observations suggesting myosin-I acts as a repulsive force shaping the network's architecture and boosting its force-generating capacity. We propose that myosin-I leverages its power stroke to amplify the forces generated by Arp2/3 complex-nucleated actin networks.

Endocytic myosin-1 is a force-insensitive, power-generating motor

Myosins are required for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but their precise molecular roles in this process are not known. This is, in part, because the biophysical properties of the relevant motors have not been investigated. Myosins have diverse mechanochemical activities, ranging from powerful contractility against mechanical loads to force-sensitive anchoring. To better understand the essential molecular contribution of myosin to endocytosis, we studied the in vitro force-dependent kinetics of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae endocytic type I myosin called Myo5, a motor whose role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis has been meticulously studied in vivo. We report that Myo5 is a low-duty-ratio motor that is activated ∼10-fold by phosphorylation and that its working stroke and actin-detachment kinetics are relatively force-insensitive. Strikingly, the in vitro mechanochemistry of Myo5 is more like that of cardiac myosin than that of slow anchoring myosin-1s found on endosomal membranes. We, therefore, propose that Myo5 generates power to augment actin assembly-based forces during endocytosis in cells.

Endocytic myosin-1 is a force-insensitive, power-generating motor

Myosins are required for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but their precise molecular roles in this process are not known. This is, in part, because the biophysical properties of the relevant motors have not been investigated. Myosins have diverse mechanochemical activities, ranging from powerful contractility against mechanical loads to force-sensitive anchoring. To better understand the essential molecular contribution of myosin to endocytosis, we studied the in vitro force-dependent kinetics of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae endocytic type I myosin called Myo5, a motor whose role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis has been meticulously studied in vivo. We report that Myo5 is a low-duty-ratio motor that is activated ∼10-fold by phosphorylation, and that its working stroke and actin-detachment kinetics are relatively force-insensitive. Strikingly, the in vitro mechanochemistry of Myo5 is more like that of cardiac myosin than like that of slow anchoring myosin-1s found on endosomal membranes. We therefore propose that Myo5 generates power to augment actin assembly-based forces during endocytosis in cells.

Summary

Pedersen, Snoberger et al. measure the force-sensitivity of the yeast endocytic the myosin-1 called Myo5 and find that it is more likely to generate power than to serve as a force-sensitive anchor in cells. Implications for Myo5's role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis are discussed.

High-resolution structures of the actomyosin-V complex in three nucleotide states provide insights into the force generation mechanism

The molecular motor myosin undergoes a series of major structural transitions during its force-producing motor cycle. The underlying mechanism and its coupling to ATP hydrolysis and actin binding are only partially understood, mostly due to sparse structural data on actin-bound states of myosin. Here, we report 26 high-resolution cryo-EM structures of the actomyosin-V complex in the strong-ADP, rigor, and a previously unseen post-rigor transition state that binds the ATP analog AppNHp. The structures reveal a high flexibility of myosin in each state and provide valuable insights into the structural transitions of myosin-V upon ADP release and binding of AppNHp, as well as the actomyosin interface. In addition, they show how myosin is able to specifically alter the structure of F-actin.

The ATPase mechanism of myosin 15, the molecular motor mutated in DFNB3 human deafness

Cochlear hair cells each possess an exquisite bundle of actin-based stereocilia that detect sound. Unconventional myosin 15 (MYO15) traffics and delivers critical molecules required for stereocilia development and thus is essential for building the mechanosensory hair bundle. Mutations in the human MYO15A gene interfere with stereocilia trafficking and cause hereditary hearing loss, DFNB3, but the impact of these mutations is not known, as MYO15 itself is poorly characterized. To learn more, we performed a kinetic study of the ATPase motor domain to characterize its mechanochemical cycle. Using the baculovirus-Sf9 system, we purified a recombinant minimal motor domain (S1) by coexpressing the mouse MYO15 ATPase, essential and regulatory light chains that bind its IQ domains, and UNC45 and HSP90A chaperones required for correct folding of the ATPase. MYO15 purified with either UNC45A or UNC45B coexpression had similar ATPase activities (kcat = ∼ 6 s-1 at 20 °C). Using stopped-flow and quenched-flow transient kinetic analyses, we measured the major rate constants describing the ATPase cycle, including ATP, ADP, and actin binding; hydrolysis; and phosphate release. Actin-attached ADP release was the slowest measured transition (∼12 s-1 at 20 °C), although this did not rate-limit the ATPase cycle. The kinetic analysis shows the MYO15 motor domain has a moderate duty ratio (∼0.5) and weak thermodynamic coupling between ADP and actin binding. These findings are consistent with MYO15 being kinetically adapted for processive motility when oligomerized. Our kinetic characterization enables future studies into how deafness-causing mutations affect MYO15 and disrupt stereocilia trafficking necessary for hearing.

Mechanochemical properties of human myosin-1C are modulated by isoform-specific differences in the N-terminal extension

Myosin-1C is a single-headed, short-tailed member of the myosin class I subfamily that supports a variety of actin-based functions in the cytosol and nucleus. In vertebrates, alternative splicing of the MYO1C gene leads to the production of three isoforms, myosin-1C⁰, myosin-1C¹⁶, and myosin-1C³⁵, that carry N-terminal extensions of different lengths. However, it is not clear how these extensions affect the chemomechanical coupling of human myosin-1C isoforms. Here, we report on the motor activity of the different myosin-1C isoforms measuring the unloaded velocities of constructs lacking the C-terminal lipid-binding domain on nitrocellulose-coated glass surfaces and full-length constructs on reconstituted, supported lipid bilayers. The higher yields of purified proteins obtained with constructs lacking the lipid-binding domain allowed a detailed characterization of the individual kinetic steps of human myosin-1C isoforms in their productive interaction with nucleotides and filamentous actin. Isoform-specific differences include 18-fold changes in the maximum power output per myosin-1C motor and 4-fold changes in the velocity and the resistive force at which maximum power output occurs. Our results support a model in which the isoform-specific N-terminal extensions affect chemomechanical coupling by combined steric and allosteric effects, thereby reducing both the length of the working stroke and the rate of ADP release in the absence of external loads by a factor of 2 for myosin-1C³⁵. As the large change in maximum power output shows, the functional differences between the isoforms are further amplified by the presence of external loads.

Myosin 1b is an actin depolymerase

The regulation of actin dynamics is essential for various cellular processes. Former evidence suggests a correlation between the function of non-conventional myosin motors and actin dynamics. Here we investigate the contribution of myosin 1b to actin dynamics using sliding motility assays. We observe that sliding on myosin 1b immobilized or bound to a fluid bilayer enhances actin depolymerization at the barbed end, while sliding on myosin II, although 5 times faster, has no effect. This work reveals a non-conventional myosin motor as another type of depolymerase and points to its singular interactions with the actin barbed end.

Former evidence suggests a correlation between the function of non-conventional myosin motors and actin dynamics. Here authors use in vitro assays in which they observe that actin sliding on myosin 1b immobilized or bound to a fluid bilayer enhances actin depolymerization at the barbed end.

Kinetic adaptation of human Myo19 for active mitochondrial transport to growing filopodia tips

Myosins are actin-based molecular motors which are enzymatically adapted for their cellular functions such as transportation and membrane tethering. Human Myo19 affects mitochondrial motility, and promotes their localization to stress-induced filopodia. Therefore, studying Myo19 enzymology is essential to understand how this motor may facilitate mitochondrial motility. Towards this goal, we have purified Myo19 motor domain (Myo19-3IQ) from a human-cell expression system and utilized transient kinetics to study the Myo19-3IQ ATPase cycle. We found that Myo19-3IQ exhibits noticeable conformational changes (isomerization steps) preceding both ATP and ADP binding, which may contribute to nucleotide binding regulation. Notably, the ADP isomerization step and subsequent ADP release contribute significantly to the rate-limiting step of the Myo19-3IQ ATPase cycle. Both the slow ADP isomerization and ADP release prolong the time Myo19-3IQ spend in the strong actin binding state and hence contribute to its relatively high duty ratio. However, the predicted duty ratio is lower than required to support motility as a monomer. Therefore, it may be that several Myo19 motors are required to propel mitochondria movement on actin filaments efficiently. Finally, we provide a model explaining how Myo19 translocation may be regulated by the local ATP/ADP ratio, coupled to the mitochondria presence in the filopodia.

ROS induced distribution of mitochondria to filopodia by Myo19 depends on a class specific tryptophan in the motor domain

The role of the actin cytoskeleton in relation to mitochondria function and dynamics is only recently beginning to be recognized. Myo19 is an actin-based motor that is bound to the outer mitochondrial membrane and promotes the localization of mitochondria to filopodia in response to glucose starvation. However, how glucose starvation induces mitochondria localization to filopodia, what are the dynamics of this process and which enzymatic adaptation allows the translocation of mitochondria to filopodia are not known. Here we show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) mimic and mediate the glucose starvation induced phenotype. In addition, time-lapse fluorescent microscopy reveals that ROS-induced Myo19 motility is a highly dynamic process which is coupled to filopodia elongation and retraction. Interestingly, Myo19 motility is inhibited by back-to-consensus-mutation of a unique residue of class XIX myosins in the motor domain. Kinetic analysis of the purified mutant Myo19 motor domain reveals that the duty ratio (time spent strongly bound to actin) is highly compromised in comparison to that of the WT motor domain, indicating that Myo19 unique motor properties are necessary to propel mitochondria to filopodia tips. In summary, our study demonstrates the contribution of actin-based motility to the mitochondrial localization to filopodia by specific cellular cues.

N-terminal splicing extensions of the human MYO1C gene fine-tune the kinetics of the three full-length myosin IC isoforms

The MYO1C gene produces three alternatively spliced isoforms, differing only in their N-terminal regions (NTRs). These isoforms, which exhibit both specific and overlapping nuclear and cytoplasmic functions, have different expression levels and nuclear-cytoplasmic partitioning. To investigate the effect of NTR extensions on the enzymatic behavior of individual isoforms, we overexpressed and purified the three full-length human isoforms from suspension-adapted HEK cells. MYO1C^C favored the actomyosin closed state (AM^C), MYO1C¹⁶ populated the actomyosin open state (AM^O) and AM^C equally, and MYO1C³⁵ favored the AM^O state. Moreover, the full-length constructs isomerized before ADP release, which has not been observed previously in truncated MYO1C^C constructs. Furthermore, global numerical simulation analysis predicted that MYO1C³⁵ populated the actomyosin·ADP closed state (AMD^C) 5-fold more than the actomyosin·ADP open state (AMD^O) and to a greater degree than MYO1C^C and MYO1C¹⁶ (4- and 2-fold, respectively). On the basis of a homology model of the 35-amino acid NTR of MYO1C³⁵ (NTR³⁵) docked to the X-ray structure of MYO1C^C, we predicted that MYO1C³⁵ NTR residue Arg-21 would engage in a specific interaction with post-relay helix residue Glu-469, which affects the mechanics of the myosin power stroke. In addition, we found that adding the NTR³⁵ peptide to MYO1C^C yielded a protein that transiently mimics MYO1C³⁵ kinetic behavior. By contrast, NTR³⁵, which harbors the R21G mutation, was unable to confer MYO1C³⁵-like kinetic behavior. Thus, the NTRs affect the specific nucleotide-binding properties of MYO1C isoforms, adding to their kinetic diversity. We propose that this level of fine-tuning within MYO1C broadens its adaptability within cells.

Mathematical Characterization of Protein Sequences Using Patterns as Chemical Group Combinations of Amino Acids

Comparison of amino acid sequence similarity is the fundamental concept behind the protein phylogenetic tree formation. By virtue of this method, we can explain the evolutionary relationships, but further explanations are not possible unless sequences are studied through the chemical nature of individual amino acids. Here we develop a new methodology to characterize the protein sequences on the basis of the chemical nature of the amino acids. We design various algorithms for studying the variation of chemical group transitions and various chemical group combinations as patterns in the protein sequences. The amino acid sequence of conventional myosin II head domain of 14 family members are taken to illustrate this new approach. We find two blocks of maximum length 6 aa as 'FPKATD' and 'Y/FTNEKL' without repeating the same chemical nature and one block of maximum length 20 aa with the repetition of chemical nature which are common among all 14 members. We also check commonality with another motor protein sub-family kinesin, KIF1A. Based on our analysis we find a common block of length 8 aa both in myosin II and KIF1A. This motif is located in the neck linker region which could be responsible for the generation of mechanical force, enabling us to find the unique blocks which remain chemically conserved across the family. We also validate our methodology with different protein families such as MYOI, Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase. Altogether, our studies provide a new methodology for investigating the conserved amino acids' pattern in different proteins.

A Perspective on the Role of Myosins as Mechanosensors

Cells are dynamic systems that generate and respond to forces over a range of spatial and temporal scales, spanning from single molecules to tissues. Substantial progress has been made in recent years in identifying the molecules and pathways responsible for sensing and transducing mechanical signals to short-term cellular responses and longer-term changes in gene expression, cell identity, and tissue development. In this perspective article, we focus on myosin motors, as they not only function as the primary force generators in well-studied mechanobiological processes, but also act as key mechanosensors in diverse functions including intracellular transport, signaling, cell migration, muscle contraction, and sensory perception. We discuss how the biochemical and mechanical properties of different myosin isoforms are tuned to fulfill these roles in an array of cellular processes, and we highlight the underappreciated diversity of mechanosensing properties within the myosin superfamily. In particular, we use modeling and simulations to make predictions regarding how diversity in force sensing affects the lifetime of the actomyosin bond, the myosin power output, and the ability of myosin to respond to a perturbation in force for several nonprocessive myosin isoforms.

Mechanochemical tuning of myosin-I by the N-terminal region

Myosins are molecular motors that generate force to power a wide array of motile cellular functions. Myosins have the inherent ability to change their ATPase kinetics and force-generating properties when they encounter mechanical loads; however, little is known about the structural elements in myosin responsible for force sensing. Recent structural and biophysical studies have shown that myosin-I isoforms, Myosin-Ib (Myo1b) and Myosin-Ic (Myo1c), have similar unloaded kinetics and sequences but substantially different responses to forces that resist their working strokes. Myo1b has the properties of a tension-sensing anchor, slowing its actin-detachment kinetics by two orders of magnitude with just 1 pN of resisting force, whereas Myo1c has the properties of a slow transporter, generating power without slowing under 1-pN loads that would stall Myo1b. To examine the structural elements that lead to differences in force sensing, we used single-molecule and ensemble kinetic techniques to show that the myosin-I N-terminal region (NTR) plays a critical role in tuning myosin-I mechanochemistry. We found that replacing the Myo1c NTR with the Myo1b NTR changes the identity of the primary force-sensitive transition of Myo1c, resulting in sensitivity to forces of <2 pN. Additionally, we found that the NTR plays an important role in stabilizing the post-power-stroke conformation. These results identify the NTR as an important structural element in myosin force sensing and suggest a mechanism for generating diversity of function among myosin isoforms.

A vertebrate myosin-I structure reveals unique insights into myosin mechanochemical tuning

Myosins are molecular motors that power diverse cellular processes, such as rapid organelle transport, muscle contraction, and tension-sensitive anchoring. The structural adaptations in the motor that allow for this functional diversity are not known, due, in part, to the lack of high-resolution structures of highly tension-sensitive myosins. We determined a 2.3-Å resolution structure of apo-myosin-Ib (Myo1b), which is the most tension-sensitive myosin characterized. We identified a striking unique orientation of structural elements that position the motor's lever arm. This orientation results in a cavity between the motor and lever arm that holds a 10-residue stretch of N-terminal amino acids, a region that is divergent among myosins. Single-molecule and biochemical analyses show that the N terminus plays an important role in stabilizing the post power-stroke conformation of Myo1b and in tuning the rate of the force-sensitive transition. We propose that this region plays a general role in tuning the mechanochemical properties of myosins.

Regulation and control of myosin-I by the motor and light chain-binding domains

Members of the myosin-I family of molecular motors are expressed in many eukaryotes, where they are involved in a multitude of critical processes. Humans express eight distinct members of the myosin-I family, making it the second largest family of myosins expressed in humans. Despite the high degree of sequence conservation in the motor and light chain-binding domains (LCBDs) of these myosins, recent studies have revealed surprising diversity of function and regulation arising from isoform-specific differences in these domains. Here we review the regulation of myosin-I function and localization by the motor and LCBDs.

Myosin IC generates power over a range of loads via a new tension-sensing mechanism

Myosin IC (myo1c), a widely expressed motor protein that links the actin cytoskeleton to cell membranes, has been associated with numerous cellular processes, including insulin-stimulated transport of GLUT4, mechanosensation in sensory hair cells, endocytosis, transcription of DNA in the nucleus, exocytosis, and membrane trafficking. The molecular role of myo1c in these processes has not been defined, so to better understand myo1c function, we utilized ensemble kinetic and single-molecule techniques to probe myo1c's biochemical and mechanical properties. Utilizing a myo1c construct containing the motor and regulatory domains, we found the force dependence of the actin-attachment lifetime to have two distinct regimes: a force-independent regime at forces < 1 pN, and a highly force-dependent regime at higher loads. In this force-dependent regime, forces that resist the working stroke increase the actin-attachment lifetime. Unexpectedly, the primary force-sensitive transition is the isomerization that follows ATP binding, not ADP release as in other slow myosins. This force-sensing behavior is unique amongst characterized myosins and clearly demonstrates mechanochemical diversity within the myosin family. Based on these results, we propose that myo1c functions as a slow transporter rather than a tension-sensitive anchor.

Calcium regulation of myosin-I tension sensing

Myo1b is a myosin that is exquisitely sensitive to tension. Its actin-attachment lifetime increases > 50-fold when its working stroke is opposed by 1 pN of force. The long attachment lifetime of myo1b under load raises the question: how are actin attachments that last >50 s in the presence of force regulated? Like most myosins, forces are transmitted to the myo1b motor through a light-chain binding domain that is structurally stabilized by calmodulin, a calcium-binding protein. Thus, we examined the effect of calcium on myo1b motility using ensemble and single-molecule techniques. Calcium accelerates key biochemical transitions on the ATPase pathway, decreases the working-stroke displacement, and greatly reduces the ability of myo1b to sense tension. Thus, calcium provides an effective mechanism for inhibiting motility and terminating long-duration attachments.

A hearing loss-associated myo1c mutation (R156W) decreases the myosin duty ratio and force sensitivity

myo1c is a member of the myosin superfamily that has been proposed to function as the adaptation motor in vestibular and auditory hair cells. A recent study identified a myo1c point mutation (R156W) in a person with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. This mutated residue is located at the start of the highly conserved switch 1 region, which is a crucial element for the binding of nucleotide. We characterized the key steps on the ATPase pathway at 37 °C using recombinant wild-type (myo1c(3IQ)) and mutant myo1c (R156W-myo1c(3IQ)) constructs that consist of the motor domain and three IQ motifs. The R156W mutation only moderately affects the rates of ATP binding, ATP-induced actomyosin dissociation, and ADP release. The actin-activated ATPase rate of the mutant is inhibited >4-fold, which is likely due to a decrease in the rate of phosphate release. The rate of actin gliding, as measured by the in vitro motility assay, is unaffected by the mutation at high myosin surface densities, but the rate of actin gliding is substantially reduced at low surface densities of R156W-myo1c(3IQ). We used a frictional loading assay to measure the affect of resisting forces on the rate of actin gliding and found that R156W-myo1c(3IQ) is less force-sensitive than myo1c(3IQ). Taken together, these results indicate that myo1c with the R156W mutation has a lower duty ratio than the wild-type protein and motile properties that are less sensitive to resisting forces.

Robust mechanosensing and tension generation by myosin VI

Myosin VI is a molecular motor that is thought to function both as a transporter and as a cytoskeletal anchor in vivo. Here we use optical tweezers to examine force generation by single molecules of myosin VI under physiological nucleotide concentrations. We find that myosin VI is an efficient transporter at loads of up to ∼2 pN but acts as a cytoskeletal anchor at higher loads. Our data and the resulting model are consistent with an indirect coupling of global structural motions to nucleotide binding and release. The model provides a mechanism by which load may regulate the dual functions of myosin VI in vivo. Our results suggest that myosin VI kinetics are tuned such that the motor maintains a consistent level of mechanical tension within the cell, a property potentially shared by other mechanosensitive proteins.

Control of myosin-I force sensing by alternative splicing

Myosin-Is are molecular motors that link cellular membranes to the actin cytoskeleton, where they play roles in mechano-signal transduction and membrane trafficking. Some myosin-Is are proposed to act as force sensors, dynamically modulating their motile properties in response to changes in tension. In this study, we examined force sensing by the widely expressed myosin-I isoform, myo1b, which is alternatively spliced in its light chain binding domain (LCBD), yielding proteins with lever arms of different lengths. We found the actin-detachment kinetics of the splice isoforms to be extraordinarily tension-sensitive, with the magnitude of tension sensitivity to be related to LCBD splicing. Thus, in addition to regulating step-size, motility rates, and myosin activation, the LCBD is a key regulator of force sensing. We also found that myo1b is substantially more tension-sensitive than other myosins with similar length lever arms, indicating that different myosins have different tension-sensitive transitions.

Kinetic and equilibrium analysis of the myosin ATPase

The myosin superfamily consists of more than 35 classes (each consisting of multiple isoforms) that have diverse cellular activities. The reaction pathway of the actin-activated myosin ATPase appears to be conserved for all myosin isoforms, but the rate and equilibrium constants that define the ATPase pathway vary significantly across the myosin superfamily, resulting in kinetic differences that that allow myosins to carry out diverse mechanical functions. Therefore, it is important to determine the lifetimes and relative populations of the key biochemical intermediates to obtain an understanding of a particular myosin's cellular function. This chapter provides procedures for determining the overall and individual rate and equilibrium constants of the actomyosin ATPase cycle, including actomyosin binding and dissociation, ATP binding, ATP hydrolysis, phosphate release, and ADP release and binding. Many of the methods described in the chapter are applicable to the characterization of other ATPase enzymes.

Myosin I can act as a molecular force sensor

The ability to sense molecular tension is crucial for a wide array of cellular processes, including the detection of auditory stimuli, control of cell shape, and internalization and transport of membranes. We show that myosin I, a motor protein that has been implicated in powering key steps in these processes, dramatically alters its motile properties in response to tension. We measured the displacement generated by single myosin I molecules, and we determined the actin-attachment kinetics with varying tensions using an optical trap. The rate of myosin I detachment from actin decreases >75-fold under tension of 2 piconewtons or less, resulting in myosin I transitioning from a low (<0.2) to a high (>0.9) duty-ratio motor. This impressive tension sensitivity supports a role for myosin I as a molecular force sensor.

Calcium sensitivity of the cross-bridge cycle of Myo1c, the adaptation motor in the inner ear

The class I myosin Myo1c is a mediator of adaptation of mechanoelectrical transduction in the stereocilia of the inner ear. Adaptation, which is strongly affected by Ca(2+), permits hair cells under prolonged stimuli to remain sensitive to new stimuli. Using a Myo1c fragment (motor domain and one IQ domain with associated calmodulin), with biochemical and kinetic properties similar to those of the native molecule, we have performed a thorough analysis of the biochemical cross-bridge cycle. We show that, although the steady-state ATPase activity shows little calcium sensitivity, individual molecular events of the cross-bridge cycle are calcium-sensitive. Of significance is a 7-fold inhibition of the ATP hydrolysis step and a 10-fold acceleration of ADP release in calcium. These changes result in an acceleration of detachment of the cross-bridge and a lengthening of the lifetime of the detached M-ATP state. These data support a model in which slipping adaptation, which reduces tip-link tension and allows the transduction channels to close after an excitatory stimulus, is mediated by Myo1c and modulated by the calcium transient.

Tropomyosins as discriminators of myosin function

Vertebrate nonmuscle cells express multiple tropomyosin isoforms that are sorted to subcellular compartments that have distinct morphological and dynamic properties. The creation of these compartments has a role in controlling cell morphology, cell migration and polarization of cellular components. There is increasing evidence that nonmuscle myosins are regulated by tropomyosin in these compartments via the regulation of actin attachment, ATPase kinetics, or by stabilization of cytoskeletal tracks for myosin-based transport. In this chapter, I review the literature describing the regulation of various myosins by tropomyosins and consider the mechanisms for this regulation.