Cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei relies on an orphan kinesin that dynamically crosslinks microtubules.

ABSTRACT: Many single-celled eukaryotes have complex cell morphologies defined by microtubules arranged into higher-order structures. The auger-like shape of the parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) is mediated by a parallel array of microtubules that underlies the plasma membrane. The subpellicular array must be partitioned and segregated using a microtubule-based mechanism during cell division. We previously identified an orphan kinesin, KLIF, that localizes to the ingressing cleavage furrow and is essential for the completion of cytokinesis. We have characterized the biophysical properties of a truncated KLIF construct in vitro to gain mechanistic insight into the function of this novel kinesin. We find that KLIF is a non-processive dimeric kinesin that dynamically crosslinks microtub

SUBMITTER: Sladewski TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10023446 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature