Kinesin 8
Encyclopedia
The Kinesin 8 Family are a subfamily of the molecular motor proteins known as kinesin
s. Most kinesins transport materials or cargo around the cell while traversing along microtubule
polymer
tracks with the help of ATP-hydrolysis
-created energy. The Kinesin 8 family has been shown to play an important role in chromosome alignment during mitosis
. Kinesin 8 family members KIF18A
in humans and Kip3 in yeast have been shown to be in vivo plus-end directed microtubule
depolymerizers. During prometaphase
of mitosis
, the microtubules attach to the kinetochores of sister chromatids
. Kinesin 8 is thought to play some role in this process, as knockdown of this protein via siRNA
produces a phenotype of sister chromatids that are unable to align properly (see External Links).
Kinesin
A kinesin is a protein belonging to a class of motor proteins found in eukaryotic cells. Kinesins move along microtubule filaments, and are powered by the hydrolysis of ATP . The active movement of kinesins supports several cellular functions including mitosis, meiosis and transport of cellular...
s. Most kinesins transport materials or cargo around the cell while traversing along 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...
polymer
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
tracks with the help of ATP-hydrolysis
ATP hydrolysis
ATP hydrolysis is the reaction by which chemical energy that has been stored and transported in the high-energy phosphoanhydridic bonds in ATP is released, for example in the muscles, to produce work. The product is ADP and an inorganic phosphate, orthophosphate...
-created energy. The Kinesin 8 family has been shown to play an important role in chromosome alignment 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...
. Kinesin 8 family members KIF18A
KIF18A
Kinesin-like protein KIF18A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIF18A gene.-Further reading:...
in humans and Kip3 in yeast have been shown to be in vivo plus-end directed 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...
depolymerizers. During prometaphase
Prometaphase
Prometaphase is the phase of mitosis following prophase and preceding metaphase, in eukaryotic somatic cells. In Prometaphase, The nuclear envelope breaks into fragments and disappears. The tiny nucleolus inside the nuclear envolope, also dissolves. Microtubules emerging from the centrosomes at the...
of 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...
, the microtubules attach to the kinetochores of sister chromatids
Sister chromatids
Sister chromatids are two identical copies of a chromatid connected by a centromere. Compare sister chromatids to homologous chromosomes, which are the two different copies of the same chromosome that diploid organisms inherit, one from each parent...
. Kinesin 8 is thought to play some role in this process, as knockdown of this protein via siRNA
Sírna
Sírna Sáeglach , son of Dian mac Demal, son of Demal mac Rothechtaid, son of Rothechtaid mac Main, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland...
produces a phenotype of sister chromatids that are unable to align properly (see External Links).