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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Kinesin-3 KIF1A plays prominent roles in axonal transport and synaptogenesis. KIF1A adopts a monomeric form in vitro but acts as a processive dimer in vivo. The mechanism underlying the motor dimerization is poorly understood. Here, we find that the CC1-FHA tandem of KIF1A exists as a stable dimer. The structure of CC1-FHA reveals that the linker between CC1 and FHA unexpectedly forms a beta-finger hairpin, which integrates CC1 with FHA assembling a CC1-FHA homodimer. More importantly, dissociation of the CC1-FHA dimer unleashes CC1 and the beta-finger, which are both essential for the motor inhibition. Thus, dimerization of the CC1-FHA tandem not only promotes the KIF1A dimer formation but also may trigger the motor activity via sequestering the CC1/beta-finger region. The CC1-FHA tandem likely functions as a hub for controlling the dimerization and activation of KIF1A, which may represent a new paradigm for the kinesin regulation shared by other kinesin-3 motors.

The CC1-FHA Tandem as a Central Hub for Controlling the Dimerization and Activation of Kinesin-3 KIF1A.,Huo L, Yue Y, Ren J, Yu J, Liu J, Yu Y, Ye F, Xu T, Zhang M, Feng W Structure. 2012 Sep 5;20(9):1550-61. Epub 2012 Aug 2. PMID:22863567^[1]

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