| Institution: | 1. Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan;2. Department of Functional Molecular Science, School of Physical Sciences, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Japan;3. Information Processing Biology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan;4. School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China;5. Cellular Informatics Laboratory, RIKEN, Japan |
| Abstract: | BackgroundBiological molecular machines support various activities and behaviors of cells, such as energy production, signal transduction, growth, differentiation, and migration.Scope of reviewWe provide an overview of single-molecule imaging methods involving both small and large probes used to monitor the dynamic motions of molecular machines in vitro (purified proteins) and in living cells, and single-molecule manipulation methods used to measure the forces, mechanical properties and responses of biomolecules. We also introduce several examples of single-molecule analysis, focusing primarily on motor proteins and signal transduction systems.Major conclusionsSingle-molecule analysis is a powerful approach to unveil the operational mechanisms both of individual molecular machines and of systems consisting of many molecular machines.General significanceQuantitative, high-resolution single-molecule analyses of biomolecular systems at the various hierarchies of life will help to answer our fundamental question: “What is life?” This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Biophysical Exploration of Dynamical Ordering of Biomolecular Systems" edited by Dr. Koichi Kato. |
