The overarching goal is to gain critical insights into the fundamentals of motor structure and function and to extrapolate this understanding to the inner workings of the cell. Kinesin superfamily members share a common catalytic domain yet participate in a wide range of cellular functions including intracellular transport, mitosis and meiosis, regulation of microtubule dynamics for remodeling of the cytoskeleton, and generation of cell polarity. Sequence differences modify the mechanochemistry and microtubule interactions that are critical for the specific function. The goal of this proposal is to establishthe mechanistic and structural features shared by Kinesin-14 Kar3Cik1, Kar3Vik1, and Ncd and at the same time to reveal unique features that result in functional specificity. Members of the Kinesin-14 subfamily are the only kinesins known to promote microtubule minus-end-directed force generation, and these motors are not processive. In contrast, members of Kinesin-1, 2, 5, 7 subfamilies generate microtubule plus-end-directed force, and these molecular motors are processive. Conventional Kinesin-1, Kinesin-5 Eg5, and Kinesin-7 CENP-E generate motors from the same gene product, yet the functional catalytic dimer for Kinesin-2 arises from two different gene products. Therefore, what is the selective advantage of heterodimeric catalytic enzymes for in vivo function and how is head-head communication established to modulate interactions with the microtubule lattice and/or microtubule end? The research proposed evaluates heterodimeric Kar3Cik1 and Kar3Vik1 in comparison to homodimeric Ncd, and heterodimeric Kinesin-2 KIFAB and KIFAC in comparison to other processive homodimeric kinesins including conventional Kinesin-1, Eg5, and CENP-E. Experimental approaches include pre-steady state kinetic methodologies, fluorescence microscopy of microtubule-motor complexes, X-ray crystallography, and cryo- electron microscopy and tomography. This comprehensive analysis of Kinesin-14 and Kinesin-2 members will provide new insights to understand the mechanochemistry that underlies structure-function relationships required for cellular organization and function.

Public Health Relevance

The overall goal of this proposal is to understand the mechanochemistry of kinesin motors that underlies their ability to promote intracellular transport, generation of cell polarity, and remodeling of the microtubule cytoskeleton for cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis during human development. Defects in kinesins have been linked to diverse pathologies including cancer, ciliopathies, neuropathies, and birth defects.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37GM054141-21
Application #
8836545
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Gindhart, Joseph G
Project Start
1996-05-01
Project End
2016-04-30
Budget Start
2015-05-01
Budget End
2016-04-30
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
002430742
City
Troy
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
12180
Quinn, Sean M; Howsmon, Daniel P; Hahn, Juergen et al. (2018) Kinesin-2 heterodimerization alters entry into a processive run along the microtubule but not stepping within the run. J Biol Chem 293:13389-13400
Woll, Kellie A; Guzik-Lendrum, Stephanie; Bensel, Brandon M et al. (2018) An allosteric propofol-binding site in kinesin disrupts kinesin-mediated processive movement on microtubules. J Biol Chem 293:11283-11295
Gilbert, Susan P; Guzik-Lendrum, Stephanie; Rayment, Ivan (2018) Kinesin-2 motors: Kinetics and biophysics. J Biol Chem 293:4510-4518
Bensel, Brandon M; Guzik-Lendrum, Stephanie; Masucci, Erin M et al. (2017) Common general anesthetic propofol impairs kinesin processivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:E4281-E4287
Guzik-Lendrum, Stephanie; Rayment, Ivan; Gilbert, Susan P (2017) Homodimeric Kinesin-2 KIF3CC Promotes Microtubule Dynamics. Biophys J 113:1845-1857
Planelles-Herrero, Vicente José; Blanc, Florian; Sirigu, Serena et al. (2016) Myosin MyTH4-FERM structures highlight important principles of convergent evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:E2906-15
Zhang, Pengwei; Rayment, Ivan; Gilbert, Susan P (2016) Fast or Slow, Either Head Can Start the Processive Run of Kinesin-2 KIF3AC. J Biol Chem 291:4407-16
Albracht, Clayton D; Guzik-Lendrum, Stephanie; Rayment, Ivan et al. (2016) Heterodimerization of Kinesin-2 KIF3AB Modulates Entry into the Processive Run. J Biol Chem 291:23248-23256
Phillips, Rebecca K; Peter, Logan G; Gilbert, Susan P et al. (2016) Family-specific Kinesin Structures Reveal Neck-linker Length Based on Initiation of the Coiled-coil. J Biol Chem 291:20372-86
Zhang, Pengwei; Dai, Wei; Hahn, Juergen et al. (2015) Drosophila Ncd reveals an evolutionarily conserved powerstroke mechanism for homodimeric and heterodimeric kinesin-14s. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 112:6359-64

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