Name: ____________________________________________________

BIO 334, MAKEUP QUIZ. April 23, 2015

1) Key features that distinguish all motor proteins are: (circle all correct answers) (1.5pts)
+0.5pt for each correct answer; -0.25pts for each incorrect answer
a. They use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to move along cytoskeletal tracks
b. They all walk as dimers
c. They walk in a directional manner
d. Binding to the cytoskeletal track requires ATP
e. The head domain is the part that binds to the cytoskeletal track
2) Which stage of myosin-IIs ATPase cycle is most affected by binding to an actin filament? (1pt)
Binding to actin increases the rate of phosphate release from myosin.

3) In the figure below, show which tubulin subunit and motor domain will form the next step for kinesin. (1pt)
The rear head (one at end) (0.5pt) binds to the next beta-tubulin (black circle) towards the plus-end (0.5pt)

Kinesin-1

4) If you did a kinesin gliding assay using ATPS (a non-hydrolyzable form of ATP), what would the motility
of the microtubules be like in this experiment. Please explain your answer. (2pts)
The microtubules would not move (1pt) because the ATP-bound state is the rigor state for kinesin-1 (1pt).

5) Fibroblasts obtained from filamin null mutants cannot form proper lamellipodia and do not move, although
actin polymerization is relatively normal in these cells. What does this observation tell us about the
requirements for actin-based cell movement? (1pt)
That actin filaments need to crosslinked/bundled for the actin to lead to lamellipodia formation (and thus cell
motility).

6) Name the motor protein that is important for flagella to beat. __[flagellar] dynein _________ (0.5pt)

7) Explain how tau affects the motility of kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein. (1pt)
Tau causes kinesin-1 to either pause or dissociate from the microtubule (either answer is okay)0.5pt
Tau causes dynein to take backward steps0.5pt

8) Explain how an action potential leads to Ca2+ release in the cytoplasm of a muscle cell. (1pt)
Action potential induces a conformational change in the voltage sensitive protein DHP (0.5pt)
Which in turn (through physical interaction) causes the Ryanodine receptor/channel to open [to release Ca++]
(0.5pt)

9) What is the function of desmin intermediate filaments in muscle cells? (1pt)

Desmin links Z-disks between adjacent myofibrils and thus brings sarcomeres within adjacent myofibrils in
register.