Kinesin superfamily of microtubule- based motor orchestrates a variety of cellular proc- esses. Recent availability of mammalian genomes has enabled analyses of kinesins on the whole ge- nome. Here we present a novel full-length kinesin prediction program (FKPP) for mammalian kinesin gene discovery based on a comparative genomics approach. Contrary to previous predictions of 94 kinesins, we identify a total of 134 potentially kinesin genes from mammalian genomes, including 45 from mouse, 45 from rat and 44 from human. In addition, FKPP synthesizes 25 potentially full-length mam- malian kinesins based on the partial sequences in the database. Surprisingly, FKPP reveals that full-length human CENP-E contains 2701 aa rather than 2663 aa in the database. Experimentation using sequence specific antibody and cDNA sequencing of human CENP-E validates the accuracy of FKPP. Given the remarkable computing efficiency and accuracy of FKPP, we reclassify the mammalian kinesin super- family. Since current databases contain many in- complete sequences, FKPP may provide a novel approach for molecular delineation of kinesins and other protein families.
During cell division, chromosome segregation is orchestrated by the interaction of spindle microtubules with the centromere. A dramatic remodeling of interpolar microtubules into an organized central spindle between the separating chromatids is required for the initiation and execution ofcytokinesis. Central spindle organization requires mitotic kinesins, the chromosomal passenger protein complex, and microtubule bundling protein PRC 1. PRC 1 is phosphorylated by Cdc2 at Thr470 and Thr481 during mitosis. However, the functional relevance of PRC 1 phosphorylation at Thr470 has remained elusive. Here we show that expression of the non-phosphorylatable mutant PRC 1T470A but not the phospho-mimicking mutant PRC 1^T470E causes aberrant organization of the central spindle. Immunoprecipitation experiment indicates that both PRC 1^T470A and PRC 1^T470E mutant proteins associate with wild-type PRC 1, suggesting that phosphorylation of Thr470 does not alter PRC 1 self-association. In addition, in vitro co-sedimentation experiment showed that PRC 1 binds to microtubule independent of the phosphorylation state of Thr470. Gel-filtration experiment suggested that phosphorylation of Thr470 promotes oligomerization of PRC 1. Given the fact that prevention of the Thr470 phosphorylation inhibits PRC 1 oligomerization in vitro and causes an aberrant organization of central spindle in vivo, we propose that this phosphorylation-dependent PRC 1 oligomerization ensures that central spindle assembly occurs at the appropriate time in the cell cycle.
Chuanhai FuFeng YanFang WuQuan WuJoseph WhittakerHaiying HuRenming HuXuebiao Yao
