Article
Mechanisms Underlying the Dual-Mode Regulation of Microtubule Dynamics by Kip3/Kinesin-8
Molecular Cell
(2011)
Abstract
The kinesin-8 family of microtubule motors plays a critical role in microtubule length control in
cells. These motors have complex effects on microtubule dynamics: they destabilize growing
microtubules yet stabilize shrinking microtubules. The budding yeast kinesin-8, Kip3, accumulates
on plus ends of growing but not shrinking microtubules. Here we identify an essential role of the
tail domain of Kip3 in mediating both its destabilizing and stabilizing activities. The Kip3-tail
promotes Kip’s accumulation at the plus ends and facilitates the destabilizing effect of Kip3.
However, the Kip3-tail also inhibits microtubule shrinkage and is required for promoting
microtubule rescue by Kip3. These effects of the tail domain are likely to be mediated by the
tubulin- and microtubule-binding activities that we describe. We propose a concentration- dependent
model for the coordination of the destabilizing nd stabilizing activities of Kip3 and
discuss its relevance to cellular microtubule organization.
Disciplines
Publication Date
September 2, 2011
DOI
10.1016/j.molcel.2011.06.027
Publisher Statement
Copyright 2011 Elsevier Inc.
Citation Information
Xiaolei Su, Weihong Qiu, Mohan L. Gupta, José B. Pereira-Leal, et al.. "Mechanisms Underlying the Dual-Mode Regulation of Microtubule Dynamics by Kip3/Kinesin-8" Molecular Cell Vol. 43 Iss. 5 (2011) p. 751 - 763 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mohan-gupta/10/