High-resolution imaging reveals indirect coordination of opposite motors and a role for LIS1 in high-load axonal transport

• DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201104076
• Publication Date: 2011-10-17T15:33:56Z
• Authors: Julie Y. Yi; Kassandra M. Ori-...; Richard J. McKenney; Michael Vershinin; Steven P. Gross; Richard B. Vallee
• Keywords: Kinesin; Axoplasmic transport; Molecular motor; Microtubule-associated protein; Vesicular Transport Proteins; Dynein ATPase

The specific physiological roles of dynein regulatory factors remain poorly understood as a result their functional complexity and the interdependence kinesin motor activities. We used novel approach to overcome these challenges, combining acute in vivo inhibition with automated high temporal spatial resolution particle tracking. Acute nonneuronal cells caused an immediate dispersal diverse forms cargo, resulting from sharp decrease microtubule minus-end run length followed by gradual plus-end runs. LIS1 or RNA interference had little effect on lysosomes/late endosomes but severely inhibited axonal transport large, not small, vesicular structures. Our results argue against direct mechanical activation opposite-directed motors offer potential broad utility study protein function vivo. data also reveal cell type–restricted role for large provide first quantitative support general high-load functions.