Mammalian myosin IXb (Myo9b) has been shown to exhibit unique motor properties in that it is a single-headed processive motor and the rate-limiting step in its chemical cycle is ATP hydrolysis. Furthermore, it has been reported to move toward the minus-and the plus-end of actin filaments. To analyze the contribution of the light chain-binding domain to the movement, processivity, and directionality of a single-headed processive myosin, we expressed constructs of Caenorhabditis elegans myosin IX (Myo9) containing either the head (Myo9-head) or the head and the light chain-binding domain (Myo9-head-4IQ). Both constructs supported actin filament gliding and moved toward the plus-end of actin filaments. We identified in the head of class IX myosins a calmodulin-binding site at the N terminus of loop 2 that is unique among the myosin superfamily members. Ca 2؉ /calmodulin negatively regulated ATPase and motility of the Myo9-head. The Myo9-head demonstrated characteristics of a processive motor in that it supported actin filament gliding and pivoting at low motor densities. Quantum dot-labeled Myo9-head moved along actin filaments with a considerable run length and frequently paused without dissociating even in the presence of obstacles. We conclude that class IX myosins are plus-end-directed motors and that even a single head exhibits characteristics of a processive motor.Myosins form a large superfamily of actin-based molecular motors that is composed of at least 35 classes (1). Class IX myosins arose in metazoa after the separation of the fungi (1). Invertebrates contain a single myosin class IX gene with the exception of the Drosophila species that have lost their class IX myosin. Bony fishes contain four myosin IX genes and other vertebrates, including mammalia two genes. The two class IX myosins in mammals, Myo9a 2 and Myo9b, exist in multiple splice variants (2). Myo9a has been shown to play a role in epithelial differentiation and morphology whereas Myo9b regulates the migration of macrophages and possibly other immune cells (3, 4). Class IX myosins share a similar structure with the myosins of the other classes, containing a head region, a calmodulin/light chain-binding domain, and a tail region.Additionally, class IX myosins carry some unique features, including a large N-terminal extension preceding the head domain and a long insertion within the head domain in loop 2. The tail region comprises a C1 zinc-binding domain and a RhoGAP domain. Because of this RhoGAP domain, class IX myosins are involved in signal transduction regulating the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton (2, 5).Mammalian Myo9b, the only class IX myosin studied so far in vitro, exhibits unique mechano-chemical properties. It has been reported to take multiple successive steps along actin filaments without dissociating, indicating that it is a processive motor (6 -8). This is remarkable because Myo9b is a singleheaded myosin. Other myosins that move processively on actin filaments, such as myosin V, dimeric myosin VI, and myosin VII, are two-...