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The bipolar mitotic kinesin Eg5 moves on both microtubules that it crosslinks

Author

Listed:
  • Lukas C. Kapitein

    (Vrije Universiteit)

  • Erwin J. G. Peterman

    (Vrije Universiteit)

  • Benjamin H. Kwok

    (The Rockefeller University)

  • Jeffrey H. Kim

    (The Rockefeller University)

  • Tarun M. Kapoor

    (The Rockefeller University)

  • Christoph F. Schmidt

    (Vrije Universiteit)

Abstract

During cell division, mitotic spindles are assembled by microtubule-based motor proteins1,2. The bipolar organization of spindles is essential for proper segregation of chromosomes, and requires plus-end-directed homotetrameric motor proteins of the widely conserved kinesin-5 (BimC) family3. Hypotheses for bipolar spindle formation include the ‘push–pull mitotic muscle’ model, in which kinesin-5 and opposing motor proteins act between overlapping microtubules2,4,5. However, the precise roles of kinesin-5 during this process are unknown. Here we show that the vertebrate kinesin-5 Eg5 drives the sliding of microtubules depending on their relative orientation. We found in controlled in vitro assays that Eg5 has the remarkable capability of simultaneously moving at ∼20 nm s-1 towards the plus-ends of each of the two microtubules it crosslinks. For anti-parallel microtubules, this results in relative sliding at ∼40 nm s-1, comparable to spindle pole separation rates in vivo6. Furthermore, we found that Eg5 can tether microtubule plus-ends, suggesting an additional microtubule-binding mode for Eg5. Our results demonstrate how members of the kinesin-5 family are likely to function in mitosis, pushing apart interpolar microtubules as well as recruiting microtubules into bundles that are subsequently polarized by relative sliding.

Suggested Citation

  • Lukas C. Kapitein & Erwin J. G. Peterman & Benjamin H. Kwok & Jeffrey H. Kim & Tarun M. Kapoor & Christoph F. Schmidt, 2005. "The bipolar mitotic kinesin Eg5 moves on both microtubules that it crosslinks," Nature, Nature, vol. 435(7038), pages 114-118, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:435:y:2005:i:7038:d:10.1038_nature03503
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03503
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    Cited by:

    1. Jurica Matković & Subhadip Ghosh & Mateja Ćosić & Susana Eibes & Marin Barišić & Nenad Pavin & Iva M. Tolić, 2022. "Kinetochore- and chromosome-driven transition of microtubules into bundles promotes spindle assembly," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Shuwen He & John P. Gillies & Juliana L. Zang & Carmen M. Córdoba-Beldad & Io Yamamoto & Yasuhiro Fujiwara & Julie Grantham & Morgan E. DeSantis & Hiroki Shibuya, 2023. "Distinct dynein complexes defined by DYNLRB1 and DYNLRB2 regulate mitotic and male meiotic spindle bipolarity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Ray, Krishanu, 2006. "How kinesins walk, assemble and transport: A birds-eye-view of some unresolved questions," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 372(1), pages 52-64.

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