Mitotic centromere-associated kinesin is important for anaphase chromosome segregation.
Mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK) is recruited to the centromere at prophase and remains centromere associated until after telophase. MCAK is a homodimer that is encoded by a single gene and has no associated subunits. A motorless version of MCAK that binds centromeres but not microtubules disrupts chromosome segregation during anaphase. Antisense-induced depletion of MCAK results in the same defect. MCAK overexpression induces centromere-independent bundling and eventual loss of spindle microtubule polymer suggesting that centromere-associated bundling and/or depolymerization activity is required for anaphase. Live cell imaging indicates that MCAK may be required to coordinate the onset of sister centromere separation.
Maney
T
T
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Hunter
A W
AW
Wagenbach
M
M
Wordeman
L
L
D000705:Anaphase / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002503:Centromere / Q000378:metabolism; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics; D006224:Cricetinae; D016547:Kinesins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D008938:Mitosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism
C490417:mitotic centromere-associated kinesin, hamster; D016547:Kinesins