What is "dynein"

n. (context enzyme English) Any of a group of enzymes that hydrolyze ATP and thus provides motive power for motile structures such as microtubules

Dynein is a motor protein (also called molecular motor or motor molecule) in cells which converts the chemical energy contained in ATP into the mechanical energy of movement. Dynein transports various cellular cargo by "walking" along cytoskeletal microtubules towards the minus-end of the microtubule, which is usually oriented towards the cell center. Thus, they are called "minus-end directed motors." This form of transport is known as retrograde transport. In contrast, kinesins, which are motor proteins that move toward the microtubules' plus end, are called plus-end directed motors.