Bidirectional motility of kinesin-5 motor proteins: structural determinants, cumulative functions and physiological roles

Modeling Studies of the Mechanism of Context-Dependent Bidirectional Movements of Kinesin-14 Motors

Kinesin-14s, a subfamily of the large superfamily of kinesin motor proteins, function mainly in spindle assembly and maintenance during mitosis and meiosis. KlpA from Aspergillus nidulans and GiKIN14a from Giardia intestinalis are two types of kinesin-14s. Available experimental results puzzlingly showed that while KlpA moves preferentially toward the minus end in microtubule-gliding setups and inside parallel microtubule overlaps, it moves preferentially toward the plus end on single microtubules. More puzzlingly, the insertion of an extra polypeptide linker in the central region of the neck stalk switches the motility direction of KlpA on single microtubules to the minus end. Prior experimental results showed that GiKIN14a moves preferentially toward the minus end on single microtubules in either tailless or full-length forms. The tail not only greatly enhances the processivity but also accelerates the ATPase rate and velocity of GiKIN14a. The insertion of an extra polypeptide linker in the central region of the neck stalk reduces the ATPase rate of GiKIN14a. However, the underlying mechanism of these puzzling dynamical features for KlpA and GiKIN14a is unclear. Here, to understand this mechanism, the dynamics of KlpA and GiKIN14a were studied theoretically on the basis of the proposed model, incorporating potential changes between the kinesin head and microtubule, as well as the potential between the tail and microtubule. The theoretical results quantitatively explain the available experimental results and provide predicted results. It was found that the elasticity of the neck stalk determines the directionality of KlpA on single microtubules and affects the ATPase rate and velocity of GiKIN14a on single microtubules.

A stable microtubule bundle formed through an orchestrated multistep process controls quiescence exit

Cells fine-tune microtubule assembly in both space and time to give rise to distinct edifices with specific cellular functions. In proliferating cells, microtubules are highly dynamics, and proliferation cessation often leads to their stabilization. One of the most stable microtubule structures identified to date is the nuclear bundle assembled in quiescent yeast. In this article, we characterize the original multistep process driving the assembly of this structure. This Aurora B-dependent mechanism follows a precise temporality that relies on the sequential actions of kinesin-14, kinesin-5, and involves both microtubule-kinetochore and kinetochore-kinetochore interactions. Upon quiescence exit, the microtubule bundle is disassembled via a cooperative process involving kinesin-8 and its full disassembly is required prior to cells re-entry into proliferation. Overall, our study provides the first description, at the molecular scale, of the entire life cycle of a stable microtubule structure in vivo and sheds light on its physiological function.

Noncanonical interaction with microtubules via the N-terminal nonmotor domain is critical for the functions of a bidirectional kinesin

Several kinesin-5 motors (kinesin-5s) exhibit bidirectional motility. The mechanism of such motility remains unknown. Bidirectional kinesin-5s share a long N-terminal nonmotor domain (NTnmd), absent in exclusively plus-end-directed kinesins. Here, we combined in vivo, in vitro, and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies to examine the impact of NTnmd mutations on the motor functions of the bidirectional kinesin-5, Cin8. We found that NTnmd deletion mutants exhibited cell viability and spindle localization defects. Using cryo-EM, we examined the structure of a microtubule (MT)-bound motor domain of Cin8, containing part of its NTnmd. Modeling and molecular dynamic simulations based on the cryo-EM map suggested that the NTnmd of Cin8 interacts with the C-terminal tail of β-tubulin. In vitro experiments on subtilisin-treated MTs confirmed this notion. Last, we showed that NTnmd mutants are defective in plus-end-directed motility in single-molecule and antiparallel MT sliding assays. These findings demonstrate that the NTnmd, common to bidirectional kinesin-5s, is critical for their bidirectional motility and intracellular functions.

The kinesin-5 tail and bipolar minifilament domains are the origin of its microtubule crosslinking and sliding activity

Kinesin-5 crosslinks and slides apart microtubules to assemble, elongate, and maintain the mitotic spindle. Kinesin-5 is a tetramer, where two N-terminal motor domains are positioned at each end of the motor, and the coiled-coil stalk domains are organized into a tetrameric bundle through the bipolar assembly (BASS) domain. To dissect the function of the individual structural elements of the motor, we constructed a minimal kinesin-5 tetramer (mini-tetramer). We determined the x-ray structure of the extended, 34-nm BASS domain. Guided by these structural studies, we generated active bipolar kinesin-5 mini-tetramer motors from Drosophila melanogastor and human orthologues which are half the length of native kinesin-5. We then used these kinesin-5 mini-tetramers to examine the role of two unique structural adaptations of kinesin-5: 1) the length and flexibility of the tetramer, and 2) the C-terminal tails which interact with the motor domains to coordinate their ATPase activity. The C-terminal domain causes frequent pausing and clustering of kinesin-5. By comparing microtubule crosslinking and sliding by mini-tetramer and full-length kinesin-5, we find that both the length and flexibility of kinesin-5 and the C-terminal tails govern its ability to crosslink microtubules. Once crosslinked, stiffer mini-tetramers slide antiparallel microtubules more efficiently than full-length motors.

Distinct regions of the kinesin-5 C-terminal tail are essential for mitotic spindle midzone localization and sliding force

Kinesin-5 motor proteins play essential roles during mitosis in most organisms. Their tetrameric structure and plus-end-directed motility allow them to bind to and move along antiparallel microtubules, thereby pushing spindle poles apart to assemble a bipolar spindle. Recent work has shown that the C-terminal tail is particularly important to kinesin-5 function: The tail affects motor domain structure, ATP hydrolysis, motility, clustering, and sliding force measured for purified motors, as well as motility, clustering, and spindle assembly in cells. Because previous work has focused on presence or absence of the entire tail, the functionally important regions of the tail remain to be identified. We have therefore characterized a series of kinesin-5/Cut7 tail truncation alleles in fission yeast. Partial truncation causes mitotic defects and temperature-sensitive growth, while further truncation that removes the conserved BimC motif is lethal. We compared the sliding force generated by cut7 mutants using a kinesin-14 mutant background in which some microtubules detach from the spindle poles and are pushed into the nuclear envelope. These Cut7-driven protrusions decreased as more of the tail was truncated, and the most severe truncations produced no observable protrusions. Our observations suggest that the C-terminal tail of Cut7p contributes to both sliding force and midzone localization. In the context of sequential tail truncation, the BimC motif and adjacent C-terminal amino acids are particularly important for sliding force. In addition, moderate tail truncation increases midzone localization, but further truncation of residues N-terminal to the BimC motif decreases midzone localization.

Distinct regions of the kinesin-5 C-terminal tail are essential for mitotic spindle midzone localization and sliding force

Kinesin-5 motor proteins play essential roles during mitosis in most organisms. Their tetrameric structure and plus-end-directed motility allow them to bind to and move along antiparallel microtubules, thereby pushing spindle poles apart to assemble a bipolar spindle. Recent work has shown that the C-terminal tail is particularly important to kinesin-5 function: the tail affects motor domain structure, ATP hydrolysis, motility, clustering, and sliding force measured for purified motors, as well as motility, clustering, and spindle assembly in cells. Because previous work has focused on presence or absence of the entire tail, the functionally important regions of the tail remain to be identified. We have therefore characterized a series of kinesin-5/Cut7 tail truncation alleles in fission yeast. Partial truncation causes mitotic defects and temperature-sensitive growth, while further truncation that removes the conserved BimC motif is lethal. We compared the sliding force generated by cut7 mutants using a kinesin-14 mutant background in which some microtubules detach from the spindle poles and are pushed into the nuclear envelope. These Cut7-driven protrusions decreased as more of the tail was truncated, and the most severe truncations produced no observable protrusions. Our observations suggest that the C-terminal tail of Cut7p contributes to both sliding force and midzone localization. In the context of sequential tail truncation, the BimC motif and adjacent C-terminal amino acids are particularly important for sliding force. In addition, moderate tail truncation increases midzone localization, but further truncation of residues N terminal to the BimC motif decreases midzone localization.

The kinesin-5 protein Cut7 moves bidirectionally on fission yeast spindles with activity that increases in anaphase

Kinesin-5 motors are essential to separate mitotic spindle poles and assemble a bipolar spindle in many organisms. These motors crosslink and slide apart antiparallel microtubules via microtubule plus-end-directed motility. However, kinesin-5 localization is enhanced away from antiparallel overlaps. Increasing evidence suggests this localization occurs due to bidirectional motility or trafficking. The purified fission-yeast kinesin-5 protein Cut7 moves bidirectionally, but bidirectionality has not been shown in cells, and the function of the minus-end-directed movement is unknown. Here, we characterized the motility of Cut7 on bipolar and monopolar spindles and observed movement toward both plus- and minus-ends of microtubules. Notably, the activity of the motor increased at anaphase B onset. Perturbations to microtubule dynamics only modestly changed Cut7 movement, whereas Cut7 mutation reduced movement. These results suggest that the directed motility of Cut7 contributes to the movement of the motor. Comparison of the Cut7 mutant and human Eg5 (also known as KIF11) localization suggest a new hypothesis for the function of minus-end-directed motility and spindle-pole localization of kinesin-5s.

Effect of the Neck Linker on Processive Stepping of Kinesin Motor

Kinesin motor protein, which is composed of two catalytic domains connected together by a long coiled-coil stalk via two flexible neck linkers (NLs), can step processively on a microtubule towards the plus end by hydrolyzing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. To understand what the role is that the NL plays in the processive stepping, the dynamics of the kinesin motor are studied theoretically here by considering the mutation or deletion of an N-terminal cover strand that contributes to the docking of the NL in kinesin-1, the extension of the NL in kinesin-1, the mutation of the NL in kinesin-1, the swapping of the NL of kinesin-2 with that of kinesin-1, the joining of the stalk and neck of Ncd that moves towards the minus end of MT to the catalytic domain of kinesin-1, the replacement of catalytic domain of kinesin-1 with that of Ncd, and so on. The theoretical results give a consistent and quantitative explanation of various available experimental results about the effects of these mutations on motor dynamics and, moreover, provide predicted results. Additionally, the processive motility of kinesin-6 MKLP2 without NL docking is also explained. The available experimental data about the effect of NL mutations on the dynamics of the bi-directional kinesin-5 Cin8 are also explained. The studies are critically implicative to the mechanism of the stepping of the kinesin motor.

The vacuole shapes the nucleus and the ribosomal DNA loop during mitotic delays

Chromosome structuring and condensation is one of the main features of mitosis. Here, Matos-Perdomo et al show how the nuclear envelope reshapes around the vacuole to give rise to the outstanding ribosomal DNA loop in budding yeast.

The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) array of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has served as a model to address chromosome organization. In cells arrested before anaphase (mid-M), the rDNA acquires a highly structured chromosomal organization referred to as the rDNA loop, whose length can double the cell diameter. Previous works established that complexes such as condensin and cohesin are essential to attain this structure. Here, we report that the rDNA loop adopts distinct presentations that arise as spatial adaptations to changes in the nuclear morphology triggered during mid-M arrests. Interestingly, the formation of the rDNA loop results in the appearance of a space under the loop (SUL) which is devoid of nuclear components yet colocalizes with the vacuole. We show that the rDNA-associated nuclear envelope (NE) often reshapes into a ladle to accommodate the vacuole in the SUL, with the nucleus becoming bilobed and doughnut-shaped. Finally, we demonstrate that the formation of the rDNA loop and the SUL require TORC1, membrane synthesis and functional vacuoles, yet is independent of nucleus–vacuole junctions and rDNA-NE tethering.

Kinesin-5 Eg5 mediates centrosome separation to control spindle assembly in spermatocytes

Timely and accurate centrosome separation is critical for bipolar spindle organization and faithful chromosome segregation during cell division. Kinesin-5 Eg5 is essential for centrosome separation and spindle organization in somatic cells; however, the detailed functions and mechanisms of Eg5 in spermatocytes remain unclear. In this study, we show that Eg5 proteins are located at spindle microtubules and centrosomes in spermatocytes both in vivo and in vitro. We reveal that the spermatocytes are arrested at metaphase I in seminiferous tubules after Eg5 inhibition. Eg5 ablation results in cell cycle arrest, the formation of monopolar spindle, and chromosome misalignment in cultured GC-2 spd cells. Importantly, we find that the long-term inhibition of Eg5 results in an increased number of centrosomes and chromosomal instability in spermatocytes. Our findings indicate that Eg5 mediates centrosome separation to control spindle assembly and chromosome alignment in spermatocytes, which finally contribute to chromosome stability and faithful cell division of the spermatocytes.

Using a comprehensive approach to investigate the interaction between Kinesin-5/Eg5 and the microtubule

Kinesins are microtubule-based motor proteins that play important roles ranging from intracellular transport to cell division. Human Kinesin-5 (Eg5) is essential for mitotic spindle assembly during cell division. By combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with other multi-scale computational approaches, we systematically studied the interaction between Eg5 and the microtubule. We find the electrostatic feature on the motor domains of Eg5 provides attractive interactions to the microtubule. Additionally, the folding and binding energy analysis reveals that the Eg5 motor domain performs its functions best when in a weak acidic environment. Molecular dynamics analyses of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges demonstrate that, on the binding interfaces of Eg5 and the tubulin heterodimer, salt bridges play the most significant role in holding the complex. The salt bridge residues on the binding interface of Eg5 are mostly positive, while salt bridge residues on the binding interface of tubulin heterodimer are mostly negative. Such salt bridge residue distribution is consistent with electrostatic potential calculations. In contrast, the interface between α and β-tubulins is dominated by hydrogen bonds rather than salt bridges. Compared to the Eg5/α-tubulin interface, the Eg5/β-tubulin interface has a greater number of salt bridges and higher occupancy for salt bridges. This asymmetric salt bridge distribution may play a significant role in Eg5′s directionality. The residues involved in hydrogen bonds and salt bridges are identified in this work and may be helpful for anticancer drug design.

Dynamics of kinesin motor proteins under longitudinal and sideways loads

The available single-molecule data showed that different species of N-terminal kinesin molecular motors have very different features on dependences of run length and dissociation rate upon longitudinal load acting on stalks of the motors. The prior single-molecule data for Loligo pealei kinesin-1 indicated that the sideways load has only a weak effect on the velocity, but even a small sideways load can cause a large reduction in the run length. However, these puzzling experimental data remain to be explained and the underlying physical mechanisms are unclear. Here, based on our proposed model we study analytically the dynamics of the N-terminal kinesin motors such as Loligo pealei kinesin-1, Drosophila kinesin-1, truncated kinesin-5/Eg5, truncated kinesin-12/Kif15, kinesin-2/Kif17 and kinesin-2/Kif3AB dimers under both longitudinal and sideways loads. The theoretical results explain quantitatively the available experimental data and provide predictions. The physical mechanism of different kinesin species showing very different features on the load-dependent dynamics and the physical mechanism of the effect of the sideways load on the dynamics are revealed.

Microtubule pivoting enables mitotic spindle assembly in S. cerevisiae

To assemble a bipolar spindle, microtubules emanating from two poles must bundle into an antiparallel midzone, where plus end–directed motors generate outward pushing forces to drive pole separation. Midzone cross-linkers and motors display only modest preferences for antiparallel filaments, and duplicated poles are initially tethered together, an arrangement that instead favors parallel interactions. Pivoting of microtubules around spindle poles might help overcome this geometric bias, but the intrinsic pivoting flexibility of the microtubule–pole interface has not been directly measured, nor has its importance during early spindle assembly been tested. By measuring the pivoting of microtubules around isolated yeast spindle poles, we show that pivoting flexibility can be modified by mutating a microtubule-anchoring pole component, Spc110. By engineering mutants with different flexibilities, we establish the importance of pivoting in vivo for timely pole separation. Our results suggest that passive thermal pivoting can bring microtubules from side-by-side poles into initial contact, but active minus end–directed force generation will be needed to achieve antiparallel alignment.

Intracellular functions and motile properties of bi-directional kinesin-5 Cin8 are regulated by neck linker docking

In this study, we analyzed intracellular functions and motile properties of neck-linker (NL) variants of the bi-directional S. cerevisiae kinesin-5 motor, Cin8. We also examined – by modeling – the configuration of H-bonds during NL docking. Decreasing the number of stabilizing H-bonds resulted in partially functional variants, as long as a conserved backbone H-bond at the N-latch position (proposed to stabilize the docked conformation of the NL) remained intact. Elimination of this conserved H-bond resulted in production of a non-functional Cin8 variant. Surprisingly, additional H-bond stabilization of the N-latch position, generated by replacement of the NL of Cin8 by sequences of the plus-end directed kinesin-5 Eg5, also produced a nonfunctional variant. In that variant, a single replacement of N-latch asparagine with glycine, as present in Cin8, eliminated the additional H-bond stabilization and rescued the functional defects. We conclude that exact N-latch stabilization during NL docking is critical for the function of bi-directional kinesin-5 Cin8.

Flexible microtubule anchoring modulates the bi-directional motility of the kinesin-5 Cin8

Two modes of motility have been reported for bi-directional kinesin-5 motors: (a) context-dependent directionality reversal, a mode in which motors undergo persistent minus-end directed motility at the single-molecule level and switch to plus-end directed motility in different assays or under different conditions, such as during MT gliding or antiparallel sliding or as a function of motor clustering; and (b) bi-directional motility, defined as movement in two directions in the same assay, without persistent unidirectional motility. Here, we examine how modulation of motor-microtubule (MT) interactions affects these two modes of motility for the bi-directional kinesin-5, Cin8. We report that the large insert in loop 8 (L8) within the motor domain of Cin8 increases the MT affinity of Cin8 in vivo and in vitro and is required for Cin8 intracellular functions. We consistently found that recombinant purified L8 directly binds MTs and L8 induces single Cin8 motors to behave according to context-dependent directionality reversal and bi-directional motility modes at intermediate ionic strength and according to a bi-directional motility mode in an MT surface-gliding assay under low motor density conditions. We propose that the largely unstructured L8 facilitates flexible anchoring of Cin8 to the MTs. This flexible anchoring enables the direct observation of bi-directional motility in motility assays. Remarkably, although L8-deleted Cin8 variants exhibit a strong minus-end directed bias at the single-molecule level, they also exhibit plus-end directed motility in an MT-gliding assay. Thus, L8-induced flexible MT anchoring is required for bi-directional motility of single Cin8 molecules but is not necessary for context-dependent directionality reversal of Cin8 in an MT-gliding assay.

Effect of Kinesin-5 Tail Domain on Motor Dynamics for Antiparallel Microtubule Sliding

Kinesin-5 motor consists of two pairs of heads and tail domains, which are situated at the opposite ends of a common stalk. The two pairs of heads can bind to two antiparallel microtubules (MTs) and move on the two MTs independently towards the plus ends, sliding apart the two MTs, which is responsible for chromosome segregation during mitosis. Prior experimental data showed that the tails of kinesin-5 Eg5 can modulate the dynamics of single motors and are critical for multiple motors to generate high steady forces to slide apart two antiparallel MTs. To understand the molecular mechanism of the tails modulating the ability of Eg5 motors, based on our proposed model the dynamics of the single Eg5 with the tails and that without the tails moving on single MTs is studied analytically and compared. Furthermore, the dynamics of antiparallel MT sliding by multiple Eg5 motors with the tails and that without the tails is studied numerically and compared. Both the analytical results for single motors and the numerical results for multiple motors are consistent with the available experimental data.

Sequences in the stalk domain regulate auto-inhibition and ciliary tip localization of the immotile kinesin-4 KIF7

The kinesin-4 member KIF7 plays critical roles in Hedgehog signaling in vertebrate cells. KIF7 is an atypical kinesin as it binds to microtubules but is immotile. We demonstrate that, like conventional kinesins, KIF7 is regulated by auto-inhibition, as the full-length protein is inactive for microtubule binding in cells. We identify a segment, the inhibitory coiled coil (inhCC), that is required for auto-inhibition of KIF7, whereas the adjacent regulatory coiled coil (rCC) that contributes to auto-inhibition of the motile kinesin-4s KIF21A and KIF21B is not sufficient for KIF7 auto-inhibition. Disease-associated mutations in the inhCC relieve auto-inhibition and result in strong microtubule binding. Surprisingly, uninhibited KIF7 proteins did not bind preferentially to or track the plus ends of growing microtubules in cells, as suggested by previous in vitro work, but rather bound along cytosolic and axonemal microtubules. Localization to the tip of the primary cilium also required the inhCC, and could be increased by disease-associated mutations regardless of the auto-inhibition state of the protein. These findings suggest that loss of KIF7 auto-inhibition and/or altered cilium tip localization can contribute to the pathogenesis of human disease.

Mechanisms by Which Kinesin-5 Motors Perform Their Multiple Intracellular Functions

Bipolar kinesin-5 motor proteins perform multiple intracellular functions, mainly during mitotic cell division. Their specialized structural characteristics enable these motors to perform their essential functions by crosslinking and sliding apart antiparallel microtubules (MTs). In this review, we discuss the specialized structural features of kinesin-5 motors, and the mechanisms by which these features relate to kinesin-5 functions and motile properties. In addition, we discuss the multiple roles of the kinesin-5 motors in dividing as well as in non-dividing cells, and examine their roles in pathogenetic conditions. We describe the recently discovered bidirectional motility in fungi kinesin-5 motors, and discuss its possible physiological relevance. Finally, we also focus on the multiple mechanisms of regulation of these unique motor proteins.

Measuring force generation within reconstituted microtubule bundle assemblies using optical tweezers

Kinesins and microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) are critical to sustain life, facilitating cargo transport, cell division, and motility. To interrogate the mechanistic underpinnings of their function, these microtubule-based motors and proteins have been studied extensively at the single molecule level. However, a long-standing issue in the single molecule biophysics field has been how to investigate motors and associated proteins within a physiologically relevant environment in vitro. While the one motor/one filament orientation of a traditional optical trapping assay has revolutionized our knowledge of motor protein mechanics, this reductionist geometry does not reflect the structural hierarchy in which many motors work within the cellular environment. Here, we review approaches that combine the precision of optical tweezers with reconstituted ensemble systems of microtubules, MAPs, and kinesins to understand how each of these unique elements work together to perform large scale cellular tasks, such as but not limited to building the mitotic spindle. Not only did these studies develop novel techniques for investigating motor proteins in vitro, but they also illuminate ensemble filament and motor synergy that helps bridge the mechanistic knowledge gap between previous single molecule and cell level studies.

Drag-induced directionality switching of kinesin-5 Cin8 revealed by cluster-motility analysis

Directed active motion of motor proteins is a vital process in virtually all eukaryotic cells. Nearly a decade ago, the discovery of directionality switching of mitotic kinesin-5 motors challenged the long-standing paradigm that individual kinesin motors are characterized by an intrinsic directionality. The underlying mechanism, however, remains unexplained. Here, we studied clustering-induced directionality switching of the bidirectional kinesin-5 Cin8. Based on the characterization of single-molecule and cluster motility, we developed a model that predicts that directionality switching of Cin8 is caused by an asymmetric response of its active motion to opposing forces, referred to as drag. The model shows excellent quantitative agreement with experimental data obtained under high and low ionic strength conditions. Our analysis identifies a robust and general mechanism that explains why bidirectional motor proteins reverse direction in response to seemingly unrelated experimental factors including changes in motor density and molecular crowding, and in multimotor motility assays.

A common ATP-dependent stepping model for kinesin-5 and kinesin-1: Mechanism of bi-directionality of kinesin-5

Kinesin-5 and kinesin-1 proteins are two families of kinesin superfamily molecular motors that can move processively on microtubules powered by ATP hydrolysis. Kinesin-1 is a unidirectional motor. By contrast, some yeast kinesin-5 motors are bidirectional and the directionality can be switched by changing the experimental conditions. Here, on the basis of a common chemomechanical coupling model, the dynamics of kinesin-1 and in particular the dynamics of kinesin-5 is studied theoretically, explaining the available experimental data. For example, the experimental data about different movement directions under different experimental conditions for kinesin-5 are explained well. The origin of why kinesin-1 can only make unidirectional movement and kinesin-5 can make bidirectional movements is revealed. The origin of mutations or deletions of several structural elements affecting the directionality of kinesin-5 is revealed. Moreover, some predicted results for kinesin-5 are provided.

How Kinesin-1 Utilize the Energy of Nucleotide: The Conformational Changes and Mechanochemical Coupling in the Unidirectional Motion of Kinesin-1

Kinesin-1 is a typical motile molecular motor and the founding member of the kinesin family. The most significant feature in the unidirectional motion of kinesin-1 is its processivity. To realize the fast and processive movement on the microtubule lattice, kinesin-1 efficiently transforms the chemical energy of nucleotide binding and hydrolysis to the energy of mechanical movement. The chemical and mechanical cycle of kinesin-1 are coupled to avoid futile nucleotide hydrolysis. In this paper, the research on the mechanical pathway of energy transition and the regulating mechanism of the mechanochemical cycle of kinesin-1 is reviewed.

HSP70 regulates Eg5 distribution within the mitotic spindle and modulates the cytotoxicity of Eg5 inhibitors

The heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a conserved molecular chaperone and proteostasis regulator that protects cells from pharmacological stress and promotes drug resistance in cancer cells. In this study, we found that HSP70 may promote resistance to anticancer drugs that target the mitotic kinesin, Eg5, which is essential for assembly and maintenance of the mitotic spindle and cell proliferation. Our data show that loss of HSP70 activity enhances Eg5 inhibitor-induced cytotoxicity and spindle abnormalities. Furthermore, HSP70 colocalizes with Eg5 in the mitotic spindle, and inhibition of HSP70 disrupts this colocalization. Inhibition or depletion of HSP70 also causes Eg5 to accumulate at the spindle pole, altering microtubule dynamics and leading to chromosome misalignment. Using ground state depletion microscopy followed by individual molecule return (GSDIM), we found that HSP70 inhibition reduces the size of Eg5 ensembles and prevents their localization to the inter-polar region of the spindle. In addition, bis(maleimido)hexane-mediated protein-protein crosslinking and proximity ligation assays revealed that HSP70 inhibition deregulates the interaction between Eg5 tetramers and TPX2 at the spindle pole, leading to their accumulation in high-molecular-weight complexes. Finally, we showed that the passive substrate-binding activity of HSP70 is required for appropriate Eg5 distribution and function. Together, our results show that HSP70 substrate-binding activity may regulate proper assembly of Eg5 ensembles and Eg5-TPX2 complexes to modulate mitotic distribution/function of Eg5. Thus, HSP70 inhibition may sensitize cancer cells to Eg5 inhibitor-induced cytotoxicity.

Are Anaphase Events Really Irreversible? The Endmost Stages of Cell Division and the Paradox of the DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

It has been recently demonstrated that yeast cells are able to partially regress chromosome segregation in telophase as a response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), likely to find a donor sequence for homology-directed repair (HDR). This regression challenges the traditional concept that establishes anaphase events as irreversible, hence opening a new field of research in cell biology. Here, the nature of this new behavior in yeast is summarized and the underlying mechanisms are speculated about. It is also discussed whether it can be reproduced in other eukaryotes. Overall, this work brings forwards the need of understanding how cells attempt to repair DSBs when transiting the latest stages of mitosis, i.e., anaphase and telophase.

Meiosis-Specific Functions of Kinesin Motors in Cohesin Removal and Maintenance of Chromosome Integrity in Budding Yeast

Kinesin motors provide the molecular forces at the kinetochore-microtubule interface and along the spindle to control chromosome segregation. During meiosis with two rounds of microtubule assembly-disassembly, the roles of motor proteins remain unexplored. We observed that in contrast to mitosis, Cin8 and Kip3 together are indispensable for meiosis. While examining meiosis in cin8Δ kip3Δ cells, we detected chromosome breakage in the meiosis II cells. The double mutant exhibits a delay in cohesin removal during anaphase I. Consequently, some cells fail to undergo meiosis II and form dyads, while some, as they progress through meiosis II, cause a defect in chromosome integrity. We believe that in the latter cells, an imbalance of spindle-mediated force and the simultaneous persistence of cohesin on chromosomes cause their breakage. We provide evidence that tension generated by Cin8 and Kip3 through microtubule cross-linking is essential for signaling efficient cohesin removal and the maintenance of chromosome integrity during meiosis.

Mechanisms of chromosome biorientation and bipolar spindle assembly analyzed by computational modeling

The essential functions required for mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome biorientation and segregation are not fully understood, despite extensive study. To illuminate the combinations of ingredients most important to align and segregate chromosomes and simultaneously assemble a bipolar spindle, we developed a computational model of fission-yeast mitosis. Robust chromosome biorientation requires progressive restriction of attachment geometry, destabilization of misaligned attachments, and attachment force dependence. Large spindle length fluctuations can occur when the kinetochore-microtubule attachment lifetime is long. The primary spindle force generators are kinesin-5 motors and crosslinkers in early mitosis, while interkinetochore stretch becomes important after biorientation. The same mechanisms that contribute to persistent biorientation lead to segregation of chromosomes to the poles after anaphase onset. This model therefore provides a framework to interrogate key requirements for robust chromosome biorientation, spindle length regulation, and force generation in the spindle.

Before a cell divides, it must make a copy of its genetic material and then promptly split in two. This process, called mitosis, is coordinated by many different molecular machines. The DNA is copied, then the duplicated chromosomes line up at the middle of the cell. Next, an apparatus called the mitotic spindle latches onto the chromosomes before pulling them apart. The mitotic spindle is a bundle of long, thin filaments called microtubules. It attaches to chromosomes at the kinetochore, the point where two copied chromosomes are cinched together in their middle.

Proper cell division is vital for the healthy growth of all organisms, big and small, and yet some parts of the process remain poorly understood despite extensive study. Specifically, there is more to learn about how the mitotic spindle self-assembles, and how microtubules and kinetochores work together to correctly orient and segregate chromosomes into two sister cells. These nanoscale processes are happening a hundred times a minute, so computer simulations are a good way to test what we know.

Edelmaier et al. developed a computer model to simulate cell division in fission yeast, a species of yeast often used to study fundamental processes in the cell. The model simulates how the mitotic spindle assembles, how its microtubules attach to the kinetochore and the force required to pull two sister chromosomes apart. Building the simulation involved modelling interactions between the mitotic spindle and kinetochore, their movement and forces applied. To test its accuracy, model simulations were compared to recordings of the mitotic spindle – including its length, structure and position – imaged from dividing yeast cells.

Running the simulation, Edelmaier et al. found that several key effects are essential for the proper movement of chromosomes in mitosis. This includes holding chromosomes in the correct orientation as the mitotic spindle assembles and controlling the relative position of microtubules as they attach to the kinetochore. Misaligned attachments must also be readily deconstructed and corrected to prevent any errors. The simulations also showed that kinetochores must begin to exert more force (to separate the chromosomes) once the mitotic spindle is attached correctly.

Altogether, these findings improve the current understanding of how the mitotic spindle and its counterparts control cell division. Errors in chromosome segregation are associated with birth defects and cancer in humans, and this new simulation could potentially now be used to help make predictions about how to correct mistakes in the process.

The kinesin-5 tail domain directly modulates the mechanochemical cycle of the motor domain for anti-parallel microtubule sliding

Kinesin-5 motors organize mitotic spindles by sliding apart microtubules. They are homotetramers with dimeric motor and tail domains at both ends of a bipolar minifilament. Here, we describe a regulatory mechanism involving direct binding between tail and motor domains and its fundamental role in microtubule sliding. Kinesin-5 tails decrease microtubule-stimulated ATP-hydrolysis by specifically engaging motor domains in the nucleotide-free or ADP states. Cryo-EM reveals that tail binding stabilizes an open motor domain ATP-active site. Full-length motors undergo slow motility and cluster together along microtubules, while tail-deleted motors exhibit rapid motility without clustering. The tail is critical for motors to zipper together two microtubules by generating substantial sliding forces. The tail is essential for mitotic spindle localization, which becomes severely reduced in tail-deleted motors. Our studies suggest a revised microtubule-sliding model, in which kinesin-5 tails stabilize motor domains in the microtubule-bound state by slowing ATP-binding, resulting in high-force production at both homotetramer ends.

DNA double-strand breaks in telophase lead to coalescence between segregated sister chromatid loci

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) pose a high risk for genome integrity. Cells repair DSBs through homologous recombination (HR) when a sister chromatid is available. HR is upregulated by the cycling dependent kinase (CDK) despite the paradox of telophase, where CDK is high but a sister chromatid is not nearby. Here we study in the budding yeast the response to DSBs in telophase, and find they activate the DNA damage checkpoint (DDC), leading to a telophase-to-G1 delay. Outstandingly, we observe a partial reversion of sister chromatid segregation, which includes approximation of segregated material, de novo formation of anaphase bridges, and coalescence between sister loci. We finally show that DSBs promote a massive change in the dynamics of telophase microtubules (MTs), together with dephosphorylation and relocalization of kinesin-5 Cin8. We propose that chromosome segregation is not irreversible and that DSB repair using the sister chromatid is possible in telophase.

Kinesin-6 Klp9 plays motor-dependent and -independent roles in collaboration with Kinesin-5 Cut7 and the microtubule crosslinker Ase1 in fission yeast

Bipolar mitotic spindles play a critical part in accurate chromosome segregation. During late mitosis, spindle microtubules undergo drastic elongation in a process called anaphase B. Two kinesin motors, Kinesin-5 and Kinesin-6, are thought to generate outward forces to drive spindle elongation, and the microtubule crosslinker Ase1/PRC1 maintains structural integrity of antiparallel microtubules. However, how these three proteins orchestrate this process remains unknown. Here we explore the functional interplay among fission yeast Kinesin-5/Cut7, Kinesin-6/Klp9 and Ase1. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we show that Klp9 forms homotetramers and that Klp9 is a processive plus end-directed motor. klp9Δase1Δ is synthetically lethal. Surprisingly, this lethality is not ascribable to the defective motor activity of Klp9; instead, it is dependent upon a nuclear localisation signal and coiled coil domains within the non-motor region. We isolated a cut7 mutant (cut7-122) that displays temperature sensitivity only in the absence of Klp9. Interestingly, cut7-122 alone is impaired in spindle elongation during anaphase B, and furthermore, cut7-122klp9Δ double mutants exhibit additive defects. We propose that Klp9 plays dual roles during anaphase B; one is motor-dependent that collaborates with Cut7 in force generation, while the other is motor-independent that ensures structural integrity of spindle microtubules together with Ase1.

Synthetic-Evolution Reveals Narrow Paths to Regulation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mitotic Kinesin-5 Cin8

Cdk1 has been found to phosphorylate the majority of its substrates in disordered regions, but some substrates maintain precise phosphosite positions over billions of years. Here, we examined the phosphoregulation of the kinesin-5, Cin8, using synthetic Cdk1-sites. We first analyzed the three native Cdk1 sites within the catalytic motor domain. Any single site conferred regulation, but to different extents. Synthetic sites were then systematically generated by single amino-acid substitutions, starting from a phosphodeficient variant of Cin8. Out of 29 synthetic Cdk1 sites, 8 disrupted function; 19 were neutral, similar to the phospho-deficient variant; and only two gave rise to phosphorylation-dependent spindle phenotypes. Of these two, one was immediately adjacent to a native Cdk1 site. Only one novel site position resulted in phospho-regulation. This site was sampled elsewhere in evolution, but the synthetic version was inefficient in S. cerevisiae. This study shows that a single phosphorylation site can modulate complex spindle dynamics, but likely requires further evolution to optimally regulate the precise reaction cycle of a mitotic motor.

Kinesins in neurological inherited diseases: a novel motor-domain mutation in KIF5A gene in a patient from Southern Italy affected by hereditary spastic paraplegia

Kinesins are a family of proteins for anterograde transport of the molecules from the neuronal cell body and their impairment has been widely associated with neurodegeneration of the motor neurons. KIF5A gene causes autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia 10, a neurological disorder characterized by spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs (SPG10). We carried out a screening of KIF5A gene in 50 subjects affected by HSP negative to diagnostic test for SPG4, ATL1 and REEP1. We identified a novel variation p.Ile255Met in a 58-year-old man who developed progressive gait disturbance due to spastic paraparesis complicated by axonal neuropathy.