Review

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 10, 765-777 (November 2009) | doi:10.1038/nrm2782

Article series: Cytoskeletal motors

Traffic control: regulation of kinesin motors

Kristen J. Verhey1 & Jennetta W. Hammond1  About the authors

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Kinesins are a family of molecular motors that use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to move along the surface of, or destabilize, microtubule filaments. Much progress has been made in understanding the mechanics and functions of the kinesin motors that play important parts in cell division, cell motility, intracellular trafficking and ciliary function. How kinesins are regulated in cells to ensure the temporal and spatial fidelity of their microtubule-based activities is less well understood. Recent work has revealed molecular mechanisms that control kinesin autoinhibition and subsequent activation, binding to cargos and microtubule tracks, and localization at specific sites of action.

Author affiliations

    1. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109-2200, USA.

    Correspondence to: Kristen J. Verhey1 Email: kjverhey@umich.edu

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