Genetic analysis of the cytoplasmic dynein subunit families

Pfister, K. K., Shah, P. R., Hummerich, H., Russ, A., Cotton, J. , Annuar, A. A., King, S. M. and Fisher, E. M.C. (2006) Genetic analysis of the cytoplasmic dynein subunit families. PLoS Genetics, 2(1), e1. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0020001) (PMID:16440056) (PMCID:PMC1331979)

Abstract

Cytoplasmic dyneins, the principal microtubule minus-end-directed motor proteins of the cell, are involved in many essential cellular processes. The major form of this enzyme is a complex of at least six protein subunits, and in mammals all but one of the subunits are encoded by at least two genes. Here we review current knowledge concerning the subunits, their interactions, and their functional roles as derived from biochemical and genetic analyses. We also carried out extensive database searches to look for new genes and to clarify anomalies in the databases. Our analysis documents evolutionary relationships among the dynein subunits of mammals and other model organisms, and sheds new light on the role of this diverse group of proteins, highlighting the existence of two cytoplasmic dynein complexes with distinct cellular roles.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cotton, Professor James
• Authors: Pfister, K. K., Shah, P. R., Hummerich, H., Russ, A., Cotton, J., Annuar, A. A., King, S. M., and Fisher, E. M.C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: PLoS Genetics
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1553-7390
• ISSN (Online): 1553-7404
• Published Online: 27 January 2006
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 Pfister et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS Genetics 2(1): e1
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License