Myosin Vc Inhibitors

Myosin Vc inhibitors represent a class of chemical compounds designed to selectively target and impede the function of myosin Vc, a motor protein crucial for intracellular transport and actin-based motility in various cellular processes. Myosin Vc, also known as unconventional myosin Vc (Myo5c), belongs to the myosin superfamily, characterized by its ability to hydrolyze ATP and convert chemical energy into mechanical force. Unlike its closely related isoforms such as myosin Va and myosin Vb, myosin Vc has distinct cellular functions, primarily involving the transport and organization of specific cargo within cells. As such, the development of myosin Vc inhibitors has become essential in dissecting its precise role in cellular physiology and understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms.

The mechanisms of action of myosin Vc inhibitors typically involve interfering with the enzymatic activity of myosin Vc itself or disrupting the regulatory processes that govern its function. These inhibitors may target the ATPase activity of myosin Vc, preventing it from hydrolyzing ATP and, consequently, impairing its ability to generate the mechanical force necessary for cargo transport along actin filaments. Additionally, some inhibitors may act indirectly by perturbing the organization and dynamics of actin filaments, which serve as the tracks along which myosin Vc moves. By doing so, these compounds hinder myosin Vc's processivity and cargo transport functions.