Cytoplasmic dynein is a minus-end-directed microtubule-based motor that transports a wide range of cargoes, including organelles, RNAs, protein complexes and viruses. How a single motor can interact with and traffic such different cargoes has been unclear. Recent studies indicate how adaptor proteins, which can both activate dynein and link it to cargo, play an important role in this process.
- Samara L. Reck-Peterson
- William B. Redwine
- Andrew P. Carter
