The reversibly and repeatedly altered gliding motility of microtubules driven by kinesin on the photoresponsive monolayer surface is studied. It was confirmed that an azobenzene monolayer surface needs to have free amino terminal groups for the successful dynamic control of the motility of microtubule. The surface of the azobenzene monolayer with terminal amino groups can dynamically control the ATP hydrolysis activity of kinesin which resulted in the change in motility of the microtubules.
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012