Mitotic centromere-associate kinesin (MCAK) is one of the principal cytoskeletal proteins involved in cell division. It is localized diffusely in the cytoplasm and nucleus during interphase and is then localized to the centromere from prophase through telophase. MCAK is a microtubule (MT) depolymerizing molecular motor that has been shown to be necessary for proper sister chromatid segregation yet little is known about how it is regulated. Preliminary studies have shown that MCAK constructs lacking the COOH-terminal region have a greater ability to depolymerize Mts when compared to the full-length protein. This proposal intends to investigate the mechanism by which the C-term of MCAK modulates its depolymerization activity. Stable and transient transfections of mutated MCAK DNA will be used to study the potency of the truncated protein. In vivo and in vitro depolymerization assays will be employed to quantify and assess the method of regulation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31GM065061-02
Application #
6526288
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CDF-6 (20))
Program Officer
Toliver, Adolphus
Project Start
2001-09-16
Project End
Budget Start
2002-09-16
Budget End
2003-09-15
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$28,186
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Moore, Ayana T; Rankin, Kathleen E; von Dassow, George et al. (2005) MCAK associates with the tips of polymerizing microtubules. J Cell Biol 169:391-7
Moore, Ayana; Wordeman, Linda (2004) C-terminus of mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK) inhibits its lattice-stimulated ATPase activity. Biochem J 383:227-35
Moore, Ayana; Wordeman, Linda (2004) The mechanism, function and regulation of depolymerizing kinesins during mitosis. Trends Cell Biol 14:537-46