This book draws together recent data on both cytoplasmic and flagellar dyneins and the proteins they interact with, to give readers a clear picture of what is currently known about the structure and mechanics of these remarkable macro-molecular machines. Each chapter is written by active researchers, with a focus on currently used biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological methods. This is a useful handbook for frontline researchers as well as a textbook for advanced students. Besides comprehensive cover of structural information gained by electron microscopy, electron cryo-tomography, X-ray crystallography, and nuclear magnetic resonance, this book provides detailed descriptions of mechanistic experiments by single-molecule nanometry. The reports include in vitro studies of the motility of reconstituted complexes and in vivo studies of organisms expressing mutant dyneins. The recent technical improvements described, which have played an important part in recent advances, include the expression and preparation of recombinant dynein heavy chains or individual subdomains.

Dyneins are molecular motors that are involved in various cellular processes, such as cilia and flagella motility, vesicular transport, and mitosis. Since the first edition of this book was published in 2012, there has been a significant breakthrough: the crystal structures of the motor domains of cytoplasmic dynein have been solved and the previously unknown details of this huge and complex molecule have been unveiled. This new edition contains 14 chapters written by researchers in the US, Europe, and Asia, including 3 new chapters that incorporate new fields. The other chapters have also been substantially updated. Compared with the earlier edition, this book focuses more on the motile mechanisms of dynein, especially by biophysical methods such as cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, and single-molecule nanometry. It is a major handbook for frontline researchers as well as for advanced students studying cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology.