Solution structure of two molecular motor domains: nonclaret disjunctional and kinesin.

The effects of selected ligands on the structure of the truncated heavy-chain chemomechanical motor domains of Drosophila ncd and human kinesin were compared using the technique of transient electric birefringence. The 366-amino acid C-terminal motor domain of Drosophila nonclaret disjunctional, ncd(335-700), and the 349-amino acid N-terminal motor domain of human kinesin, kinesin(349), were studied at 4 degrees C in neutral buffers with ionic strength of 100 mM to form complexes with either MgADP or MgADP.Vi. The rotational diffusion time adjusted to 20 degrees C and water, tau 20,W, for ncd(335-700).MgADP is 32.8 ns, and for ncd(335-700).MgADP.Vi is 34.8 ns, suggesting prolate ellipsoids with dimensions 9.40 x 3.77 nm and 9.73 x 3.70 nm, respectively. The specific Kerr constant, Ksp, of ncd is -1.65 x 10(-12) cm2V-2 for the MgADP complex and -1.15 x 10(-12) cm2V-2 for the MgADP.Vi complex. The large negative Ksp for a prolate protein suggests an unusual charge distribution with two long surfaces with opposite charge. The tau 20,W for kinesin(349).MgADP is longer than the corresponding ncd motor and shows a decrease with increased electric field. The kinesin(349).MgADP.Vi complex has a longer tau 20,W. The Ksp for kinesin(349) is 0.36 x 10(-12) cm2V-2 for each complex.