ACTIVE BIOMIMETIC SYSTEMS: FORCEGENERATION AND CARGO TRANSPORTBY MOLECULAR MACHINES

摘要

This special issue of Biophysical Reviews and Letters describes recent advances in thearea of active biomimetic systems, which are inspired by the cytoskeletal architecturefound in all eukaryotic cells. The main building blocks of these systems are providedby two types of cytoskeletal filaments, F-actin and microtubules, as well as molecularstepping motors such as kinesins and myosins. All of these building blocks representmolecular machines: They are coupled to nucleotide hydrolysis and are able to convertthe chemical energy released from this process into mechanical work. Bundles of filamentsand teams of stepping motors generate strong pushing forces and perform long-rangedcargo transport.