A mechanochemical theory for the ATP-fuelled biomolecular motors

Abstract

Biomolecular motors are normally single or complex biomolecules exerting mechanical forces over molecular and cellular scales. The ATP-fuelled biomolecular motors can transduce the chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis into forces and motions in cells. In biomolecular motors, transport reactions are both stoichiometric and enzymatic. We outline a mechanochemical theoretical framework for biomolecular motors to understand their enzymatic kinetics and continuous dynamics. The theory is validated by describing the operating mechanism and dynamics of several ATP-fuelled molecular motors driving various loads. © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.