Kinesin family member 15 is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
that in humans is encoded by the KIF15
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...
.
This gene encodes a motor protein that is part of the
kinesin superfamily. KIF15 maintains half
spindle
Spindle may refer to:
Textiles and manufacturing
* Spindle (textiles), a straight spike to spin fibers into yarn
* Spindle (tool), a rotating axis of a machine tool
Biology
* Common spindle and other species of shrubs and trees in genus ''Euony ...
separation by opposing forces generated by other
motor protein
Motor proteins are a class of molecular motors that can move along the cytoplasm of cells. They convert chemical energy into mechanical work by the hydrolysis of ATP. Flagellar rotation, however, is powered by a proton pump.
Cellular functions ...
s. KIF15 co-localizes with
microtubule
Microtubules are polymers of tubulin that form part of the cytoskeleton and provide structure and shape to eukaryotic cells. Microtubules can be as long as 50 micrometres, as wide as 23 to 27 nm and have an inner diameter between 11 an ...
s and
actin
Actin is a family of globular multi-functional proteins that form microfilaments in the cytoskeleton, and the thin filaments in muscle fibrils. It is found in essentially all eukaryotic cells, where it may be present at a concentration of over ...
filaments in both dividing cells and in
postmitotic
The G0 phase describes a cellular state outside of the replicative cell cycle. Classically, cells were thought to enter G0 primarily due to environmental factors, like nutrient deprivation, that limited the resources necessary for proliferation ...
neurons.
Function
KIF15 (also known as Kinesin-12 and HKLP2) is a motor protein expressed in all cells during mitosis and in postmitotic neurons undergoing axon growth.
KIF15 maintains bipolar microtubule
spindle apparatus in dividing cells and shares redundant functions with
KIF11
Kinesin-like protein KIF11 is a molecular motor protein that is essential in mitosis. In humans it is coded for by the gene ''KIF11''. Kinesin-like protein KIF11 is a member of the kinesin superfamily, which are nanomotors that move along micro ...
.
KIF15 is thought to promote spindle assembly by cross-linking and sliding along microtubules creating a separation between
centrosomes. The microtubule localization of Kif15 is being regulated by Kinesin binding protein (KBP).
HeLa cells depleted of KIF11, with reduced microtubule dynamics, are able to form bipolar spindles from acentrosomal asters in a KIF15 dependent manner.
Hence, inhibition of KIF15 function will be a vital therapeutic approach in cancer chemotherapy.
Since KIF11 and KIF15 are functionally redundant, drugs targeting both the proteins will be more potent.
Function in neurons
KIF15 restricts the movement of short microtubules into growing axons by generating forces on microtubules which counteract those generated by cytoplasmic dynein.
KIF15, together with
KIF23
Kinesin-like protein KIF23 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''KIF23'' gene.
Function
In cell division
KIF23 (also known as Kinesin-6, CHO1/MKLP1, C. elegans ZEN-4 and Drosophila Pavarotti) is a member of kinesin-like protein fa ...
become enriched in dendrites as neurons mature to promote the transport of minus-end distal microtubules into nascent dendrites.
Interactions
KIF15 has been shown to interact with
TPX2. Both these dimers cooperate to slide along microtubules and maintain bipolar spindles.
References
Further reading
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External links
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