In the last funding period, I found that myosin V, myosin VI, kinesin 1, and CENP-E--evolutionarily diverse but functionally similar molecular motors--each coordinate the enzymology of their two catalytic domains (""""""""heads"""""""") in the same way: by gating nucleotide binding to the leading head. In this renewal application, I now wish to explore this issue of allosteric communication further, this time by investigating how two motors that come from the same family but serve different functions communicate--both within one head (intra- molecularly) as well as between heads (inter-molecularly). Kinesin 1 transports cargoes as a single motor, taking greater than 100 steps on its microtubule (MT) track without dissociating. Eg5 slides anti-parallel spindle MTs in ensembles, working against sustained opposing forces from ncd and dynein;and it only takes on average 8 steps per processive run. These functional differences are reflected in different enzymologies. Unlike kinesin 1, ATP binding to Eg5 is slow and tightly coupled to neck linker docking. I will focus on three structures that vary considerably between these two motors and which I propose play key roles in mediating both intra- and inter-molecular communication. These are loop L5, the neck linker, and the neck coiled coil.
In Aim 1, I will examine how loop L5 regulates the timing of nucleotide binding and coupling to movements of the mechanical element--the neck linker. Experiments in this aim will utilize state- of-the-art transient kinetic and spectroscopic methodologies.
In Aim 2 I will examine how polymorphisms in the neck linker and the neck-coiled coil contribute to differences in motor processivity. This work will combine the state-of-the-art methodologies developed in Aim 1 with single molecule mechanical studies. Taken together, Aims 1 and 2 should lead to the development of a comprehensive model of how kinesin motors """"""""fine tune"""""""" their molecular physiology by adjusting a discrete number of structures. Kinesin 1 dysfunction has been linked to a number of neuro-degenerative diseases and to chemotherapy resistance in a variety of malignancies, and Eg5 has been intensively investigated as a target for the development of new anti-mitotics for the treatment of cancer. It is therefore likely that a molecular level model of how motors function will not only impact our understanding of pathophysiology but also point to new therapeutic approaches.

Public Health Relevance

Molecular motors drive diverse forms of cell physiology. In this application, I propose to investigate how two members of the kinesin family of molecular motors adjust their structures in order to adapt their enzymologies to the specific demands placed on them by the cell. I anticipate that this work will illuminate design principles for understanding how existing motors work as well as generate insights into how new motors could be custom engineered to serve specific functions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM102875-08
Application #
8539052
Study Section
Macromolecular Structure and Function C Study Section (MSFC)
Program Officer
Gindhart, Joseph G
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
2016-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$303,010
Indirect Cost
$110,010
Name
Cleveland Clinic Lerner
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
135781701
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44195
Muretta, Joseph M; Reddy, Babu J N; Scarabelli, Guido et al. (2018) A posttranslational modification of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 that enhances its mechanochemical coupling and alters its mitotic function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:E1779-E1788
Atherton, Joseph; Yu, I-Mei; Cook, Alexander et al. (2017) The divergent mitotic kinesin MKLP2 exhibits atypical structure and mechanochemistry. Elife 6:
Shojania Feizabadi, Mitra; Janakaloti Narayanareddy, Babu Reddy; Vadpey, Omid et al. (2015) Microtubule C-Terminal Tails Can Change Characteristics of Motor Force Production. Traffic 16:1075-87
Muretta, Joseph M; Jun, Yonggun; Gross, Steven P et al. (2015) The structural kinetics of switch-1 and the neck linker explain the functions of kinesin-1 and Eg5. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 112:E6606-13
Goulet, Adeline; Major, Jennifer; Jun, Yonggun et al. (2014) Comprehensive structural model of the mechanochemical cycle of a mitotic motor highlights molecular adaptations in the kinesin family. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:1837-42
Atherton, Joseph; Farabella, Irene; Yu, I-Mei et al. (2014) Conserved mechanisms of microtubule-stimulated ADP release, ATP binding, and force generation in transport kinesins. Elife 3:e03680
Muretta, Joseph M; Behnke-Parks, William M; Major, Jennifer et al. (2013) Loop L5 assumes three distinct orientations during the ATPase cycle of the mitotic kinesin Eg5: a transient and time-resolved fluorescence study. J Biol Chem 288:34839-49
Kaan, Hung Yi Kristal; Major, Jennifer; Tkocz, Katarzyna et al. (2013) ""Snapshots"" of ispinesib-induced conformational changes in the mitotic kinesin Eg5. J Biol Chem 288:18588-98
Goulet, Adeline; Behnke-Parks, William M; Sindelar, Charles V et al. (2012) The structural basis of force generation by the mitotic motor kinesin-5. J Biol Chem 287:44654-66