Structural insights into human Kif7, a kinesin involved in Hedgehog signalling

Klejnot, M. and Kozielski, F. (2012) Structural insights into human Kif7, a kinesin involved in Hedgehog signalling. Acta Crystallographica. Section D: Biological Crystallography, 68(2), pp. 154-159. (doi: 10.1107/S0907444911053042)

Abstract

Kif7, a member of the kinesin 4 superfamily, is implicated in a variety of diseases including Joubert, hydrolethalus and acrocallosal syndromes. It is also involved in primary cilium formation and the Hedgehog signalling pathway and may play a role in cancer. Its activity is crucial for embryonic development. Kif7 and Kif27, a closely related kinesin in the same subfamily, are orthologues of the Drosophila melanogaster kinesin-like protein Costal-2 (Cos2). In vertebrates, they work together to fulfil the role of the single Cos2 gene in Drosophila. Here, the high-resolution structure of the human Kif7 motor domain is reported and is compared with that of conventional kinesin, the founding member of the kinesin superfamily. These data are a first step towards structural characterization of a kinesin-4 family member and of this interesting molecular motor of medical significance.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kozielski, Professor Frank and Klejnot, Ms Marta
• Authors: Klejnot, M., and Kozielski, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Acta Crystallographica. Section D: Biological Crystallography
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
• ISSN: 0907-4449
• ISSN (Online): 1399-0047