Movement of microtubules by single kinesin molecules

Abstract

Kinesin is a motor protein that uses energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to move organelles along microtubules. Using a new technique for measuring the movement produced in vitro by individual kinesin molecules, it is shown that a single kinesin molecule can move a microtubule for several micrometres. New information about the mechanism of force generation by kinesin is presented. © 1989 Nature Publishing Group.