The Kinesin Montage

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Mitosis/Meiosis: Many of the kinesin proteins have been implicated in spindle or chromosome movement during meiosis and mitosis. MCAK is a kinesin motor that localizes to kinetochores and functions in mitosis. The mitotic spindle shown is fluorescing with the MCAK motor fused to yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) (see Maney et al. 1998 JCB 142, 787-801). MCAK-EYFP appears as yellow-white dots on the DAPI-stained chromosomes. Contributed by Linda Wordeman.

Crystal Structure: The crystal structure of the motor domains of Kinesin-1 and Ncd show remarkable similarity to one another and share core structural features with the molecular motor protein, myosin. Contributed by Jon Kull and Ron Vale.

Microtubule Disassembly: Some kinesin motor proteins, such as KinI of Plasmodium falciparum, have been shown to disassemble or destabilize microtubules at their ends. Rings of tubulin are formed by KinI in the presence of AMPPNP (see Moores et al. 2002 Molec Cell 9, 903-909). Contributed by Carolyn Moores.

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