Diffusion Biased by a Soft Neck Linker Regulates Kinesin Stepping

Conventional kinesin is a high-performance motor that moves primarily toward the plus end of microtubules and occasionally toward the opposite direction. The physical mechanism of this directional stepping remains unclear. Here we develop a kinetic two-cycle model incorporating kinesin forward and backward stepping, in which the neck linker zippering and ATP catalysis process are conserved in backward steps. This model is quantitatively validated by a variety of experimental data, including load dependence of velocity, stepping ratio, and dwell time. The physical mechanism of kinesin stepping regulated by a biased diffusion process is identified by analyzing the load dependence and relevant thermodynamic properties of the model. Furthermore, the model suggests the kinesin directionality is optimized resulting from fulfilling a thermodynamic constraint. Our modeling provides a chemomechanical coupling mechanism that connects the flexibility of the neck linker zippering effect for direction rectification and the measured performance into a consistent frame.

Automated summary

This study develops a kinetic model that is quantitatively validated by experimental data, revealing the physical mechanism of kinesin stepping and its directionality regulated by a biased diffusion process. The results suggest that kinesin directionality is optimized through fulfilling a thermodynamic constraint.