Abstract
Directional movement of motor protein is essential for regulation of intracellular trafficking. In animal cells, microtubule and motor proteins play important roles on trafficking. In contrast, in plant cells, the actomyosin system takes the place. Although actin related motor is only plant specific class VIII and XI myosins, higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana developed many members, 4 in myosin VIII and 13 in myosin XI. Our goal is an integrated understanding of the unique plant trafficking regulated by myosin members.
I have cloned all full length myosin members and expressed in protoplasts, revealed specific localization and movement among members. In this time, myosins were expressed in physiologically more intact environment, cultured cells and transgenic plants of Arabidopsis. In addition, truncated tail domain was expressed, acting as dominant negative because it masks myosin binding site. As a result, tail domain of some members show different localization from that of the full length. Indicating, myosin members have independent functions in particular trafficking pathway. From these results, functions and roles of myosin members in intracellular trafficking will discuss.
