5ybe

Publication Abstract from PubMed

The crosstalk between dynamic microtubules (MTs) and the cell cortex plays important roles in cell division, polarity, and migration. A critical adaptor that links the plus ends of MTs with the cell cortex is the KN motif and ankyrin repeat domains 1 (KANK1)/kinesin family member 21A (KIF21A) complex. Genetic defects in these two proteins are associated with various cancers and developmental diseases such as congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles type 1 (CFEOM1). However, the molecular mechanism governing the KANK1/KIF21A interaction and the role of the conserved ankyrin (ANK) repeats in this interaction are still unclear. In this study, we present the crystal structure of the KANK1/KIF21A complex at 2.1-angstrom resolution. The structure, together with biochemical studies, revealed that a 5-helix bundle-capping domain immediately preceding the ANK repeats of KANK1 forms a structural and functional supramodule with its ANK repeats in binding to an evolutionarily conserved peptide located in the middle of KIF21A. We also show that several missense mutations present in cancer patients are located at the interface of the KANK1/KIF21A complex and destabilize its formation. In conclusion, our study elucidates the molecular basis underlying the KANK1/KIF21A interaction and also provides possible mechanistic explanations for the diseases caused by mutations in KANK1 and KIF21A.

Structural analyses of key features in the KANK1/KIF21A complex yield mechanistic insights into the crosstalk between microtubules and the cell cortex.,Weng Z, Shang Y, Yao D, Zhu J, Zhang R J Biol Chem. 2017 Nov 20. pii: M117.816017. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.816017. PMID:29158259^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.