Transport to the photoreceptor outer segment by myosin VIIa and kinesin II

This paper reviews our studies in which we have used mutant mice to investigate the roles of myosin Vila and kinesin 11 in the transport of proteins to the photoreceptor outer segment. These studies suggest that both motors participate in moving opsin along the connecting cilium. Given the velocities measured for these motors in vitro. it is predicted that the resulting concentration of opsin in the plasma membrane of the connecting cilium is surprisingly low. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.