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Cytoplasmic Dynein: Tension Generation on Microtubules and the Nucleus

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Abstract

Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule dependent motor protein that is central to vesicle transport, cell division and organelle positioning. Recent studies suggest that dynein can generate significant pulling forces on intracellular structures as it motors along microtubules. In this review, we discuss how dynein-generated pulling forces position the nucleus and the centrosome.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under awards CMMI 0954302 (T.P.L.), CBET 1236616 (R.B.D. and T.P.L.) and National Institute of Health 1 R01GM102486 (T.P.L.). [Fig. 4]—Reproduced by permission of The Royal Society of Chemistry. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2012/ib/c2ib20015e

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Bldg 723, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Nandini Shekhar, Jun Wu, Richard B. Dickinson & Tanmay P. Lele

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  1. Nandini Shekhar
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Correspondence to Tanmay P. Lele.

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Associate Editor Jung-Chi Liao & Henry Hess oversaw the review of this article.

Nandini Shekhar and Jun Wu contributed equally to the manuscript.

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Shekhar, N., Wu, J., Dickinson, R.B. et al. Cytoplasmic Dynein: Tension Generation on Microtubules and the Nucleus. Cel. Mol. Bioeng. 6, 74–81 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12195-012-0257-4

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