Molecular Biology Commons^™

Novel Pausing Behavior Of The Kinesin-3 Family Member Kif1a Is Regulated By Tau, Dominique V. Lessard

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

The unique relationship between neuronal structure and function is paramount for the complexity of the human nervous system. This relationship allows neurons to receive, process, and transmit information through many inter- and intracellular mechanisms. Axonal transport is an essential intracellular mechanism for neuronal health and viability. This process involves the transport of cellular cargo in the anterograde and retrograde direction along the axon, relaying materials between the soma and axon terminals, respectively. The necessity of an expedited form of transport becomes clear when one considers the magnitude of distance cargo must travel; in some cases, the axon can be up …

Single Molecule Imaging Reveals Tau Structure And Function On The Microtubule Surface, Jamie Stern

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Neurons are among the most highly polarized cells in the human body. This polarization allows the neuron to participate in the transfer of chemical and electrical signals which are crucial to the survival of the organism. As part of polarization, each neuron develops a dendritic arbor and an axon. To ensure the survival of the cell, materials synthesized in the cell body must be trafficked through the axon for delivery throughout ultimately ending at the synaptic termini. The bulk of this cargo transport is microtubule-based fast axonal transport which is molecular motor mediated and tightly regulated though many pathways. Motor …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Mrna Transport By A Class V Myosin And Cytoplasmic Dynein, Thomas Edward Sladewski

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

mRNA localization ensures correct spatial and temporal control of protein synthesis in the cell. Using a single molecule in vitro approach, we provide insight into the mechanisms by which localizing mRNAs are carried by molecular motors on cytoskeletal tracks to their destination.

Budding yeast serves as a model system for studying the mechanisms of mRNA transport because localizing mRNAs are moved on actin tracks in the cell by a single class V myosin motor, Myo4p. Molecular motors that specialize in cargo transport are generally double-headed so that they can "walk" for many microns without dissociating, a feature known as processivity. …