Myosin-VI_CBD is a C-terminal family that allows unconventional myosin-VI to recognise and select its binding cargoes. Several adaptor proteins have been reported to interact specifically with the CBD, thus defining the specific subcellular functions of myosin VI. The crystal structure determination of the myosin VI CBD/Dab2 (an endocytic adaptor protein Disabled-2 that is a cargo) complex shows that the Myosin-VI_CBD forms a cargo-induced dimer, suggesting that the motor undergoes monomer-to-dimer conversion that is dependent upon cargo binding. In the absence of cargo myosin VI exists as a stable monomer. This cargo binding-mediated monomer-to-dimer conversion mechanism adopted by myosin VI may be shared by other unconventional myosins, such as myosin VII and myosin X [1].

1: Myosin VI undergoes cargo-mediated dimerization. Yu C, Feng W, Wei Z, Miyanoiri Y, Wen W, Zhao Y, Zhang M; Cell. 2009;138:537-548. PMID:19665975