Lipid diffusion enhanced by molecular motors
An experimental study of myosin I motors on a supported lipid membrane with a nematic actin filament layer is presented. The activities of myosin I motors re-organize the actin layer, in particular the morphology of +1/2 nematic defects. Data from single-particle tracking (SPT) of lipid molecules reveal two interesting features. First, the distribution of average lipid speed over a track shows…
A recent experimental study has revealed how myosin I motors on a supported lipid membrane, equipped with a nematic actin filament layer, enhance lipid diffusion. The researchers observed that myosin I activity reorganizes the actin layer, specifically altering the morphology of +1/2 nematic defects. Single-particle tracking (SPT) of lipid molecules uncovered two key findings.
Firstly, among lipid movements, two distinct groups emerged - high-speed and low-speed lipids, with a higher proportion of high-speed lipids in actin-rich regions. Secondly, lipids in these actin-rich areas exhibited a lower likelihood of remaining in confined or subdiffusive states, and a greater propensity for normal diffusion.
Additionally, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements demonstrated that lipid diffusion is indeed heightened in actin-rich regions. These results suggest that myosin I motors accelerate lipid movements by converting low-speed lipids into high-speed ones, and influence lipid motion by diminishing confined and subdiffusive motions. Consequently, the presence of myosin I motors results in enhanced lipid diffusion.
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