W. O. Hancock

Xylan inhibition of cellulase binding and processivity observed at single-molecule resolution

This study uses single-molecule microscopy to show that xylan inhibits cellulase binding and processivity on cellulose fibrils, highlighting the need for xylan removal in biomass processing.

Lignin impairs Cel7A degradation of cellulose by impeding enzyme movement and not by acting as a sink

This study uses single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to show that lignin impairs Cel7A degradation of cellulose by blocking access and hindering enzyme movement, rather than acting as a sink.

Single-molecule tracking reveals dual front door/back door inhibition of Cel7A cellulase by its product cellobiose

This study uses single-molecule tracking to show that cellobiose inhibits Cel7A cellulase by binding to both the product release site and the substrate binding tunnel.

Interface-acting nucleotide controls polymerization dynamics at microtubule plus- and minus-ends

The paper resolves a debate on microtubule dynamics by showing that interfacial nucleotides determine tubulin:tubulin interaction strength through experimental and simulation studies.

The net charge of the K-loop regulates KIF1A superprocessivity by enhancing microtubule affinity in the one-head-bound state

This study shows that the net charge of the K-loop in KIF1A enhances microtubule affinity in the one-head-bound state, increasing run length and processivity.

Simulations suggest robust microtubule attachment of kinesin and dynein in antagonistic pairs

The paper uses simulations to study kinesin and dynein motor dynamics in bidirectional transport, finding that matched stall forces and independent detachment rates best replicate experimental velocity distributions.

Kinesin-1, -2 and -3 motors use family-specific mechanochemical strategies to effectively compete with dynein during bidirectional transport

The paper investigates how kinesin-1, -2, and -3 motors compete with dynein during bidirectional transport and finds that all three families can withstand hindering loads through distinct kinetic strategies.

KIF1A is kinetically tuned to be a super-engaging motor under hindering loads

This study uses optical tweezers to show KIF1A generates higher force and sustains longer attachment under hindering loads compared to KIF5B, with rapid microtubule reengagement.

Measurements and simulations of microtubule growth imply strong longitudinal interactions and reveal a role for GDP on the elongating end

The paper measures microtubule growth dynamics using interference reflection microscopy and models the effects of GTP hydrolysis, revealing that GDP exposure at the microtubule end increases growth fluctuations and suggests slow association kinetics.

An integrated multi-wavelength SCATTIRSTORM microscope combining TIRFM and IRM modalities for imaging cellulases and other processive enzymes

The paper introduces a multimodal microscope combining IRM and TIRFM to image processive enzymes with high precision.

Nanoscale dynamics of cellulase TrCel7A digesting cellulose

This study uses single-molecule tracking to analyze the dynamics of TrCel7A cellulase binding and movement along cellulose, revealing a three-state model with static and processive states.

The fast and superprocessive KIF1A predominately resides in a vulnerable one-head-bound state during its chemomechanical cycle

This study elucidates the chemomechanical cycle of KIF1A, revealing that it predominantly resides in a one-head-bound state during its cycle, with fast rear head detachment and tethered head attachment as key rate-limiting steps.

Microtubule Binding Kinetics of Membrane-bound Kinesin Predicts High Motor Copy Numbers on Intracellular Cargo

The paper measures the microtubule binding kinetics of membrane-bound kinesin-1 motors and finds that motor reattachment is not limited by diffusion but by intrinsic binding rates, predicting high motor copy numbers for long-range vesicle transport.

Kinesin-2 from C. reinhardtii is an atypically fast and auto-inhibited motor that is activated by heterotrimerization for intraflagellar transport

This study investigates the function of kinesin-2 motors in C. reinhardtii, showing that FLA8/10 is auto-inhibited and activated by KAP subunit heterotrimerization for fast intraflagellar transport.

Dynactin p150 promotes processive motility of DDB complexes by minimizing diffusional behavior of dynein

The paper uses iSCAT microscopy to analyze dynein-dynactin-BicD2 motility, finding that p150 reduces diffusive behavior and enhances processive movement.

Kinesin-5 promotes microtubule nucleation and assembly by stabilizing a lattice-competent conformation of tubulin

This study identifies Eg5 as a microtubule polymerase that promotes microtubule growth by inducing a curved-to-straight transition in tubulin.

The Orphan Kinesin PAKRP2 Achieves Processive Motility Via Noncanonical Stepping

This study shows that PAKRP2, an orphan kinesin in Arabidopsis, moves processively along microtubules using a noncanonical stepping mechanism with small steps and lateral movements.

Direct observation of individual tubulin dimers binding to growing microtubules

The paper directly measures tubulin on- and off-rates at growing microtubule tips using interferometric scattering microscopy and computational modeling.

Measurement of the Persistence Length of Cytoskeletal Filaments using Curvature Distributions

The paper introduces a curvature distribution method to measure the persistence length of cytoskeletal filaments, showing it is more accurate for small datasets and applicable to both in vitro and in vivo data.

Motor reattachment kinetics play a dominant role in multimotor-driven cargo transport

This study investigates how motor reattachment kinetics influence multi-motor-driven cargo transport, finding that kinesin-2's faster reattachment rate enhances cargo movement and navigation.