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The mitotic kinesin-14 KlpA contains a context-dependent directionality switch

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew R. Popchock

    (Oregon State University)

  • Kuo-Fu Tseng

    (Oregon State University)

  • Pan Wang

    (Oregon State University
    School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University)

  • P. Andrew Karplus

    (Oregon State University)

  • Xin Xiang

    (The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)

  • Weihong Qiu

    (Oregon State University
    Oregon State University)

Abstract

Kinesin-14s are commonly known as nonprocessive minus end-directed microtubule motors that function mainly for mitotic spindle assembly. Here we show using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy that KlpA—a kinesin-14 from Aspergillus nidulans—is a context-dependent bidirectional motor. KlpA exhibits plus end-directed processive motility on single microtubules, but reverts to canonical minus end-directed motility when anchored on the surface in microtubule-gliding experiments or interacting with a pair of microtubules in microtubule-sliding experiments. Plus end-directed processive motility of KlpA on single microtubules depends on its N-terminal nonmotor microtubule-binding tail, as KlpA without the tail is nonprocessive and minus end-directed. We suggest that the tail is a de facto directionality switch for KlpA motility: when the tail binds to the same microtubule as the motor domain, KlpA is a plus end-directed processive motor; in contrast, when the tail detaches from the microtubule to which the motor domain binds, KlpA becomes minus end-directed.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew R. Popchock & Kuo-Fu Tseng & Pan Wang & P. Andrew Karplus & Xin Xiang & Weihong Qiu, 2017. "The mitotic kinesin-14 KlpA contains a context-dependent directionality switch," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13999
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13999
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    Cited by:

    1. Arvind Kumar Gupta & Natasha Sharma, 2017. "Nano-Machines on Biological Networks," Biostatistics and Biometrics Open Access Journal, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 1(5), pages 104-112, May.

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