A posttranslational modification of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 that enhances its mechanochemical coupling and alters its mitotic function

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1718290115
• Publication Date: 2018-02-05T20:21:21Z
• Authors: Joseph M. Muretta; Babu J. N. Reddy; Guido Scarabelli; Alex F. Thompson; Shashank Jariwala; Jennifer Major; Monica Venere; Jeremy N. Rich; Belinda Willard; David D. Thomas; Jason Stumpff; Barry J. Grant; Steven P. Gross; Steven S. Rosenfeld
• Keywords: Kinesin

Significance Members of the kinesin superfamily serve a wide variety functions, and dominant narrative for these molecular motors has been that each member is uniquely specialized to very limited set functions. However, it now appreciated many members this group several distinct physiological roles, unclear how kinesins accomplish functional flexibility. In report, we describe posttranslational modification 5 family Eg5 dramatically alters its chemomechanical behavior make function much more efficiently under load in ensembles. This work provides biophysical context required mechanistically understand effects modified dividing cells.