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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Jun 8.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Cell Biol. 2015 Dec;17(12):1517–1519. doi: 10.1038/ncb3279

Figure. A simple model of complex cooperation among anterograde motors in C. elegans phasmid cilia.

Figure

Kinesin-II imports cargos and efficiently navigates Y-links and other obstacles in the transition zone (TZ). In the proximal segment (PS) characterized by doublet microtubules (MTs) and a lack of Y-links, kinesin-II motors are steadily replaced by the homodimeric kinesin-2 OSM-3, resulting in acceleration of motor and cargo complexes. In the distal segment (DS) characterized by MT singlets, OSM-3 solely carries cargo to tip. Kinesin-II has a steady frequency of detachment and turnaround, while OSM-3 mostly turns around for retrograde transport by dynein motors (not shown) at the ciliary tip. Turnarounds ensure motors return to the right place for repeated trips.