Eukaryotic cells depend on actin- and microtubule-based motor proteins to drive intracellular transport. Dyneins are large multi-subunit protein complexes that move cargo toward the minus ends of microtubules. Cytoplasmic dynein plays critical roles in transporting membrane-bound organelles such as endosomes, lysosomes, and mitochondria, as well as in positioning the centrosome, nucleus, and Golgi apparatus. It is also involved in virus transport to the nucleus, retrograde axonal transport, and the movement of microtubules and neurofilaments. Three families of dynein light chains (DYNL) have been described, with DYNLT family members DYNLT1 and DYNLT3 proposed to mediate the attachment of dynein to specific cargoes.
