The role of the Kinesin-13 family protein TbKif13-2 in flagellar length control of Trypanosoma brucei.
TbKif13-2, a member of the microtubule-depolymerising Kinesin-13 family was localised at the tip of the flagellum in Trypanosoma brucei. Its predicted activity suggested a role in the regulation of axonemal length. However, using gene deletion and overexpression of TbKif13-2 we show that, in procyclic T. brucei, this kinesin has only a very limited effect on flagellar length. Gene deletion resulted in no significant elongation of the flagellum and overexpression only slightly decreased flagellar length and the rate of growth of a new flagellum during cell division. This is in contrast to studies in Leishmania major, where overexpression of the TbKif13-2 homologue resulted in a significant length reduction of the flagellum. Knockout of TbKif13-2 has, however, an effect on the initial growth of the emerging new flagellum. In conclusion, we show that TbKif13-2 has only a marginal impact on flagellar length in T. brucei.
Chan
Kuan Yoow
KY
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
Ersfeld
Klaus
K
D000818:Animals; D054468:Axoneme; D005407:Flagella / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D016547:Kinesins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016547:Kinesins