BimC is a subfamily of KRP

KRP

KRP stands for kinesin related proteins. bimC is a subfamily of KRPs and its function is to separate the duplicated centrosomes during mitosis....

s and its function is to separate the duplicated centrosomes during mitosis

Mitosis

Mitosis is the process by which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus into two identical sets, in two separate nuclei. It is generally followed immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the nuclei, cytoplasm, organelles and cell membrane into two cells containing roughly...

.

Early in prophase

Prophase

Prophase, from the ancient Greek πρό and φάσις , is a stage of mitosis in which the chromatin condenses into a highly ordered structure called a chromosome in which the chromatin becomes visible. This process, called chromatin condensation, is mediated by the condensin complex...

, while the nuclear envelope

Nuclear envelope

A nuclear envelope is a double lipid bilayer that encloses the genetic material in eukaryotic cells. The nuclear envelope also serves as the physical barrier, separating the contents of the nucleus from the cytosol...

 is still intact, dynamic microtubules from each aster spindle overlap at their plus ends. KRPs of the bimC family self associate through their tails forming a bipolar motor (like myosin II). These bipolar motors slide the oppositely oriented microtubule

Microtubule

Microtubules are a component of the cytoskeleton. These rope-like polymers of tubulin can grow as long as 25 micrometers and are highly dynamic. The outer diameter of microtubule is about 25 nm. Microtubules are important for maintaining cell structure, providing platforms for intracellular...

past each other, thereby pushing the spindle poles apart (sliding of antiparallel microtubels).