Directional motility of kinesin motor proteins

Kinesin motor proteins are molecules capable of moving along microtubules. They share homology in the so-called core motor domain which acts as a microtubule-dependent ATPase. The surprising finding that different members of the superfamily move in opposite directions along microtubules despite their close similarity has stimulated intensive research on the determinants of motor directionality. This article reviews recent biophysical, biochemical, structural and mutagenic studies that contributed to the elucidation of the mechanisms that cause directional motion of kinesin motor proteins.     

Evolutionary trends of neurofilament proteins in fish.

1. Neurofilament complement was studied in an early chordate (Ciona intestinalis) and six fish species by immunoblot with antisera specific for each of the three mammalian NF subunits. 2. The anti-NF-H and anti-NF-M antisera were characterized as strictly specific for phosphorylated epitopes located in the carboxyterminal domain. 3. The NF-L subunit is absent in primitive chordates and appears first in fish; it can be identified on the basis of its apparent mol. wt, its reactivity with the anti-IFA antibody and with polyclonal antibodies raised to the NF-L subunit of mammals. 4. Primitive chordate neurofilaments are constituted by a single polypeptide of ca 160,000 mol. wt exhibiting only M-type phosphorylation-dependent epitopes. 5. Primitive fish (Acipenser transmontanus, Salmo gairdneri, Scorpaena porcus, Serranus scriba) possess only a single high mol. wt NF subunit reacting with both anti-NF-H and anti-NF-M antiserum while more recent species (Mugil saliens, Perca fluviatilis) possess two high mol. wt NF subunits which are immunologically distinct as to their phosphorylation structures. 6. The existence in some fish species of two high mol. wt NF polypeptides suggests that the process of gene duplication and diversification supposed to have given rise to the two high mol. wt NF subunits of mammals and birds has occurred repeatedly in vertebrate evolution, and may be regarded as a case of convergent evolution.     

A batchwise purification procedure of neurofilament proteins

A rapid batchwise purification procedure for neurofilament proteins from bovine spinal cord is described. A crude filament fraction can be obtained by treating the tissue with Triton X-100, followed by centrifugation through sucrose. From this crude filament fraction the protein is processed through a batch purification procedure using hydroxyapatite in 8 M urea. With this procedure, approximately 0.5 g of purified neurofilament protein is obtained from a single bovine spinal cord in less than 3 days.     

Studies on the biosynthesis of neurofilament proteins

To determine whether the triplet polypeptides of neurofilaments arise by degradation of precursor, we studied the biosynthesis of neurofilament polypeptides both in vivo and in cell-free systems. Neurofilament-enriched fractions and polyribosomes were prepared from the same rabbit spinal cord homogenates. At 1 h after intracisternal administration of [34S]methionine, radiolabeled neurofilament proteins were detected in spinal cord homogenates as well as in isolated filaments. When polyribosomes from rabbit spinal cord were allowed to incorporate [35S]methionine into protein, triplet polypeptides were among the proteins labeled. Addition of spinal cord polyribosomes to rabbit reticulocyte lysates led to several cycles of translation of the spinal cord mRNA; the three neurofilament polypeptides were among the proteins synthesized in this system. The results demonstrate that the triplet polypeptides of neurofilaments are synthesized as such in the course of individual translational events and do not arise from degradation of P200 or a larger precursor.     

The functions of kinesin and kinesin-related proteins in eukaryotes

ABSTRACT

Kinesins constitute a superfamily of ATP-driven microtubule motor enzymes that convert the chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work along microtubule tracks. Kinesins are found in all eukaryotic organisms and are essential to all eukaryotic cells, involved in diverse cellular functions such as microtubule dynamics and morphogenesis, chromosome segregation, spindle formation and elongation and transport of organelles. In this review, we explore recently reported functions of kinesins in eukaryotes and compare their specific cargoes in both plant and animal kingdoms to understand the possible roles of uncharacterized motors in a kingdom based on their reported functions in other kingdoms.     

Calcium-activated proteolysis of neurofilament proteins in goldfish Mauthner axons

We have examined the proteolytic breakdown of neurofilament proteins (NFPs) in isolated Mauthner axoplasm (M-axoplasm). Documentation of proteolytic breakdown of NFPs in M-axoplasm is important because NFPs are not degraded in distal segments of severed Mauthner axons (M-axons) maintained in vivo for up to 62 days at 20°C. By incubating M-axoplasm with 2 mM calcium in vitro, we have demonstrated that M-axoplasm contains an endogenous calcium-activated neutral protease that degrades NFPs. This calcium-activated proteolysis of M-axoplasm NFPs produced novel bands on silver-stained gels. These novel bands were presumed to be NFP breakdown products because they reacted with antibodies to the α-intermediate filament antigen (anti-IFA) on immunoblots from these gels. Incubations of M-axoplasm with 2 mM calcium plus exogenous calpain produced novel bands similar to those observed for M-axoplasm incubated with 2 mM calcium. Incubations of M-axoplasm with 2m M calcium plus calpain inhibitors did not produce these novel bands. These in vitro data indicate that M-axoplasm contains calpain that degrades NFPs and produces novel bands similar to those observed from distal segments of severed M-axons maintained in vivo longer than 62 days postseverance. Factors that affect the activity of calpain or affect the ability of calpain to degrade NFPs could account for the delayed degradation of NFPs in distal segments of severed M-axons maintained in vivo. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Abnormal neurofilament transport caused by targeted disruption of neuronal kinesin heavy chain KIF5A

To test the hypothesis that fast anterograde molecular motor proteins power the slow axonal transport of neurofilaments (NFs), we used homologous recombination to generate mice lacking the neuronal-specific conventional kinesin heavy chain, KIF5A. Because null KIF5A mutants die immediately after birth, a synapsin-promoted Cre-recombinase transgene was used to direct inactivation of KIF5A in neurons postnatally. Three fourths of such mutant mice exhibited seizures and death at around 3 wk of age; the remaining animals survived to 3 mo or longer. In young mutant animals, fast axonal transport appeared to be intact, but NF-H, as well as NF-M and NF-L, accumulated in the cell bodies of peripheral sensory neurons accompanied by a reduction in sensory axon caliber. Older animals also developed age-dependent sensory neuron degeneration, an accumulation of NF subunits in cell bodies and a reduction in axons, loss of large caliber axons, and hind limb paralysis. These data support the hypothesis that a conventional kinesin plays a role in the microtubule-dependent slow axonal transport of at least one cargo, the NF proteins.     

Motor proteins: kinesin can replace Myosin

Directional transport of specific cargos is tuned to specific molecular motors and specific cytoskeletal tracks. Myosin V transports its cargo on actin cables, whereas kinesin or dynein transport their cargo on microtubules. A recent study shows that an engineered kinesin can substitute for myosin V and its cargo-specific transport and subsequent cellular functions.     

Regulation of neurofilament axonal transport by phosphorylation in optic axons in situ

Axonal transport of neurofilament (NFs) is considered to be regulated by phosphorylation. While existing evidence for this hypothesis is compelling, supportive studies have been largely restricted to correlative evidence and/or experimental systems involving mutants. We tested this hypothesis in retinal ganglion cells of normal mice in situ by comparing subunit transport with regional phosphorylation state coupled with inhibition of phosphatases. NF subunits were radiolabeled by intravitreal injection of 35S-methionine. NF axonal transport was monitored by following the location of the peak of radiolabeled subunits immunoprecipitated from 9x1.1 mm segments of optic axons. An abrupt decline transport rate was observed between days 1 and 6, which corresponded to translocation of the peak of radiolabeled subunits from axonal segment 2 into segment 3. Notably, this is far downstream from the only caliber increase of optic axons at 150 mu from the retina. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated a unique threefold increase between segments 2 and 3 in levels of a "late-appearing" C-terminal NF-H phospho-epitope (RT97). Intravitreal injection of the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid increased RT97 immunoreactivity within retinas and proximal axons, and markedly decreased NF transport rate out of retinas and proximal axons. These findings provide in situ experimental evidence for regulation of NF transport by site-specific phosphorylation.     

Phosphorylation of neurofilament proteins by protein kinase C

The low molecular mass (70 kDa) subunit of neurofilaments (NF-L) contains at least three phosphorylation sites in vivo and is phosphorylated by multiple kinases in a site-specific manner [(1987) J. Neurochem. 48, S101; Sihag, R.K. and Nixon, R.A. submitted]. In this study, we observed that the three subunits of neurofilament proteins from retinal ganglion cell neurons are substrates for purified mouse brain protein kinase C. Two-dimensional alpha-chymotryptic phosphopeptide map analyses of the NF-L subunit demonstrated that protein kinase C phosphorylates four polypeptide sites, two of which incorporate phosphate when retinal ganglion cells are pulse-radiolabeled with [32P]orthophosphate in vivo.     

GRIF-1 and OIP106, members of a novel gene family of coiled-coil domain proteins: association in vivo and in vitro with kinesin

Gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor-interacting factor (GRIF-1) is a 913-amino acid protein proposed to function as a GABA(A) receptor beta(2) subunit-interacting, trafficking protein. GRIF-1 shares approximately 44% amino acid sequence identity with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase interacting protein 106, OIP106. Both proteins contain predicted coiled-coil domains and probably constitute a novel gene family. The Drosophila orthologue of this family of proteins may be Milton. Milton shares approximately 44% amino acid homology with GRIF-1. Milton is proposed to function in kinesin-mediated transport of mitochondria to nerve terminals. We report here that GRIF-1 and OIP106 also associate with kinesin and mitochondria. Following expression in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, both GRIF-1 and OIP106 were shown by co-immunoprecipitation to be specifically associated with an endogenous kinesin heavy chain species of 115 kDa and exogenous KIF5C. Association of GRIF-1 with kinesin was also evident in native brain and heart tissue. In the brain, anti-GRIF-1-(8-633) antibodies specifically co-immunoprecipitated two kinesin-immunoreactive species with molecular masses of 118 and 115 kDa, and in the heart, one kinesin-immunoreactive species, 115 kDa, was immunoprecipitated. Further studies revealed that GRIF-1 was predominantly associated with KIF5A in the brain and with KIF5B in both the heart and in HEK 293 cells. Yeast two-hybrid interaction assays and immunoprecipitations showed that GRIF-1 associated directly with KIF5C with the GRIF-1/KIF5C interaction domain localized to GRIF-1-(124-283). These results further support a role for GRIF-1 and OIP106 in protein and/or organelle transport in excitable cells in a manner analogous to glutamate receptor-interacting-protein 1, in the motor-dependent transport of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate glutamate excitatory neurotransmitter receptors to dendrites.     

Defective axonal transport of neurofilament proteins in neurons overexpressing peripherin

Peripherin is a type III neuronal intermediate filament detected in motor neuron inclusions of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. We previously reported that overexpression of peripherin provokes late-onset motor neuron dysfunction in transgenic mice. Here, we show that peripherin overexpression slows down axonal transport of neurofilament (NF) proteins, and that the transport defect precedes by several months the appearance of axonal spheroids in adult mice. Defective NF transport by peripherin up-regulation was further confirmed with dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons cultured from peripherin transgenic embryos. Immunofluorescence microscopy and western blotting revealed that excess peripherin provokes reduction in levels of hyperphosphorylated NF-H species in DRG neurites. Similarly the transport of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged NF-M, delivered by means of a lentiviral construct, was impaired in DRG neurites overexpressing peripherin. These results demonstrate that peripherin overexpression can cause defective transport of type IV NF proteins, a phenomenon that may account for the progressive formation of ALS-like spheroids in axons.     

Polarity proteins control ciliogenesis via kinesin motor interactions

BACKGROUND: Cilia are specialized organelles that play a fundamental role in several mammalian processes including left-right axis determination, sperm motility, and photoreceptor maintenance. Mutations in cilia-localized proteins have been linked to human diseases including cystic kidney disease and retinitis pigmentosa. Retinitis pigmentosa can be caused by loss-of-function mutations in the polarity protein Crumbs1 (CRB1), but the exact role of CRB1 in retinal function is unclear. RESULTS: Here we show that CRB3, a CRB1-related protein found in epithelia, is localized to cilia and required for proper cilia formation. We also find that the Crumbs-associated Par3/Par6/aPKC polarity cassette localizes to cilia and regulates ciliogenesis. In addition, there appears to be an important role for the polarity-regulating 14-3-3 proteins in this process. Finally, we can demonstrate association of these polarity proteins with microtubules and the microtubular motor KIF3/Kinesin-II. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings point to a heretofore unappreciated role for polarity proteins in cilia formation and provide a potentially unique insight into the pathogenesis of human kidney and retinal disease.     

The emerging kinesin family of microtubule motor proteins.

A family of proteins related to the microtubule motor, kinesin, is emerging. Members of this family, which includes both plus- and minus-end motors, are involved in nuclear functions such as nuclear fusion after karyogamy, spindle pole-body separation and chromosome segregation, as well as in transport in neuronal cells.     

Ca2+ binding by Myxicola neurofilament proteins

Titrimetric, 45Ca dialysis, and autoradiographic methods were used to examine how axoplasmic proteins from the giant neuron of the marine annelid Myxicola infundibulum bind calcium. Following the autoradiographic method of Maruyama et al., the 150-160 kD neurofilament subunits were identified as prominent intracellular Ca-binding peptides. Using equilibrium dialysis, extracts of axoplasmic proteins (greater than 50% neurofilament subunits) were examined in 300 mM KCl at different concentrations of free Ca and Mg, and at different pH. Axoplasmic proteins showed a high affinity Ca binding site (K1/2 3-6 microM, capacity 3-7 mumole g-1 protein) at pH 6.8 or pH 7.5. Changing the Mg concentration from 0 to 5 mM had no effect on the Ca binding. Elevating the dialysis pH from 7.0 to 9.0 reduced the apparent number of binding sites for Ca. Using microelectrodes to record the free Ca, microtitrations of axoplasmic proteins were completed by adding small amounts of CaCl2 to 100 microliters volumes of protein solutions. In a medium containing ionic constituents closely resembling those of the Myxicola axon, a Ca binding capacity of 5.0 mumole g-1 protein and a K1/2 of approximately 1 microM were measured.     

Specific detection of neuronal cell bodies: in situ hybridization with a biotin-labeled neurofilament cDNA probe

We have used a biotinylated, 300-nucleotide cDNA probe which encodes the 68,000 MW neurofilament protein to detect neurofilament-specific mRNA in situ. The neurofilament message specifically demonstrates the neuronal cell bodies, in contrast to the usual antibody staining which detects their neurites. The hybridization is detected only in neuronal structures. Consequently, detection of the biotinylated neurofilament DNA probe by silver-intensified streptavidin-gold can be specifically used to identify neuronal cell bodies.     

Processing of neurofilament proteins from perikaryal to axonal type

In previous studies, neuronal cell bodies, excised by hand from bovine spinal ganglia, were analyzed and heterogeneous intermediate and high molecular weight neurofilament proteins that differed in electrophoretic mobility from their axonal counterparts were demonstrated (1, 2). In the present experiment, intermediate and high molecular weight neurofilament proteins of the axonal type were treated with alkaline phosphatase, and neurofilament proteins enriched in perikaryal type proteins were labeled with³²P. Results showed that neurofilament proteins were phosphorylated after their translation, in the perikarya and the proximal portion of the axon, and suggested that phosphorylation was responsible for the differences between axonal and perikaryal neurofilament proteins.Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Holger Hydén.     

Functions of the Arabidopsis kinesin superfamily of microtubule-based motor proteins

Plants possess a large number of microtubule-based kinesin motor proteins. While the kinesin-2, 3, 9, and 11 families are absent from land plants, the kinesin-7 and 14 families are greatly expanded. In addition, some kinesins are specifically present only in land plants. The distinctive inventory of plant kinesins suggests that kinesins have evolved to perform specialized functions in plants. Plants assemble unique microtubule arrays during their cell cycle, including the interphase cortical microtubule array, preprophase band, anastral spindle and phragmoplast. In this review, we explore the functions of plant kinesins from a microtubule array viewpoint, focusing mainly on Arabidopsis kinesins. We emphasize the conserved and novel functions of plant kinesins in the organization and function of the different microtubule arrays.