| Kinesin-1 (conventional kinesin) is a homodimeric motor protein important for axonal transport. It has been well studied through ensemble and single-molecule assays. However, the enzymatic stepping cycle is complex, with many rate constants that are modulated by interaction of the two motor domains. This makes it difficult to predict how changes in a given rate constant may affect observable properties such as processivity, velocity, or stall force. We have written a simulation of kinesin walking using a Stochastic Simulation Algorithm. The model allows for interactions between the heads, and includes states that are not considered part of the normal cycle. This adds to the complexity of the model but also allows for probing rare events, such as those that... |
