Human chromokinesins promote chromosome congression and spindle microtubule dynamics during mitosis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Wandke, C (Author) Other; Barisic, M (Author) Other; Sigl, R (Author) Other; Rauch, V (Author) Other; Wolf, F (Author) Other; Amaro, AC (Author) Other; Tan, CH (Author) Other; Pereira, AJ (Author) Other; Kutay, U (Author) Other; Helder Maiato (Author) FMUP; Meraldi, P (Author) Other; Geley, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Cell Biology

Vol. 198

Pages: 847-863

ISSN: 0021-9525

Publisher: Rockefeller University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 84 Citations

Scopus - 85 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-5JZ

DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201110060

Abstract (EN): Chromokinesins are microtubule plus end directed motor proteins that bind to chromosome arms. In Xenopus egg cell-free extracts, Xkid and Xklp1 are essential for bipolar spindle formation but the functions of the human homologues, hKID (KIF22) and KIF4A, are poorly understood. By using RNAi-mediated protein knockdown in human cells, we find that only co-depletion delayed progression through mitosis in a Mad2-dependent manner. Depletion of hKID caused abnormal chromosome arm orientation, delayed chromosome congression, and sensitized cells to nocodazole. Knockdown of KIF4A increased the number and length of microtubules, altered kinetochore oscillations, and decreased kinetochore microtubule flux. These changes were associated with failures in establishing a tight metaphase plate and an increase in anaphase lagging chromosomes. Co-depletion of both chromokinesins aggravated chromosome attachment failures, which led to mitotic arrest. Thus, hKID and KIF4A contribute independently to the rapid and correct attachment of chromosomes by controlling the positioning of chromosome arms and the dynamics of microtubules, respectively.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17