Energetics of kinesin-1 stepping mechanism

Kinesin-1 is a dimeric motor protein that transports cellular cargo along microtubules by using the energy released from ATP hydrolysis and moving processively in 8-nm steps. Recent novel studies at the single molecular level have provided extensive knowledge on how kinesin-1 converts the free energy of ATP hydrolysis and uses it for “walking” along microtubules. In this review, I have discussed the important topics pertaining to the energetics of kinesin-1 stepping mechanism and the consensus walking model.