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

L.C. Kapitein, E.J.G. Peterman, B. H. Kwok, J. Kim, T. M. Kapoor, C. Schmidt

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

During cell division, mitotic spindles are assembled by microtubule-based motor proteins. 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) family. Hypotheses for bipolar spindle formation include the 'push-pull mitotic muscle' model, in which kinesin-5 and opposing motor proteins act between overlapping microtubules. 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
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-118
JournalNature
Volume435
Issue number7038
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Bibliographical note

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

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