Any dynein complex with a homodimeric dynein heavy chain core that catalyzes movement along a microtubule. Cytoplasmic dynein complexes participate in many cytoplasmic transport activities in eukaryotes, such as mRNA localization, intermediate filament transport, nuclear envelope breakdown, apoptosis, transport of centrosomal proteins, mitotic spindle assembly, virus transport, kinetochore functions, and movement of signaling and spindle checkpoint proteins. Some complexes participate in intraflagellar transport. Subunits associated with the dynein heavy chain mediate association between dynein heavy chain and cargoes, and may include light chains and light intermediate chains.
Source:
GOC:krc,
GOC:cilia,
GOC:hla,
PMID:12600311,
GOC:mah
Comment
Note that this term is labelled based on phylogenetic classification and community usage, rather than strict cellular localization. Cytoplasmic dynein complexes may contain ciliary dyneins; therefore the term is not linked to 'cytoplasm'. Cytoplasmic dynein complexes do not contain axonemal dyneins; see GO:0005858 axonemal dynein complex.