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.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
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Maney
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Hunter
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Wagenbach
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Wordeman
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