Abstract
Thousands of outer-arm dyneins (OADs) are arrayed in the axoneme to drive a rhythmic ciliary beat. Using electron microscopy, we determined the structure of OAD array bound to microtubule doublets (MTDs) in near-atomic details and illuminate how OADs coordinate with each other to move one step forward. OAD prefers a specific pattern of MTD protofilaments for its distinct microtubule-binding domains. Upon MTD binding, free OADs are induced to adopt a stable parallel conformation, primed for array formation. Extensive tail-to-head (TTH) interactions between OADs are observed, which need to be broken for ATP turnover by the dynein motor. ATP-hydrolysis in turn relaxes the TTH interfaces to sequentially effectuate free nucleotide cycle of downstream OADs. These findings lead to a model for how conformational changes of OADs produce coordinated actions.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
