The kinesin-8 Kip3 scales anaphase spindle length by suppression of midzone microtubule polymerization.

ABSTRACT: Mitotic spindle function is critical for cell division and genomic stability. During anaphase, the elongating spindle physically segregates the sister chromatids. However, the molecular mechanisms that determine the extent of anaphase spindle elongation remain largely unclear. In a screen of yeast mutants with altered spindle length, we identified the kinesin-8 Kip3 as essential to scale spindle length with cell size. Kip3 is a multifunctional motor protein with microtubule depolymerase, plus-end motility, and antiparallel sliding activities. Here we demonstrate that the depolymerase activity is indispensable to control spindle length, whereas the motility and sliding activities are not sufficient. Furthermore, the microtubule-destabilizing activity is required to counteract Stu2/XMAP215-m

SUBMITTER: Rizk RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3998799 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature