Molecular mechanisms of motility and microtubule-remodeling by kinesins

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Movement is a defining characteristic of life. The bulk of movement by cells and inside of cells is driven by kinesin, myosin, and dynein motor proteins. Our research program studies kinesins - the smallest and simplest of these motors. Despite their tiny stature, kinesins perform big jobs in cells. For example, they move important synaptic proteins down neurons for nerve function and survival, and they help segregate genetic material equally between cells when they divide. My group is interested in the classes of kinesins that perform the latter of these functions. These are known as mitotic kinesins. Mitotic kinesins typically form complexes of two proteins that wind around one another, where each molecule in the complex cooperates with the other to convey movement of their cargo. It is often the case that many kinesin complexes work together to share the weight of carrying a common heavy load, such as a microtubule, and sometimes teams of other kinesins are attempting to pull the same cargo in the opposite direction. These activities are important for the proper functioning of the highly ordered cellular structure that segregates chromosomes during mitosis - the mitotic spindle. Our research program is interested in understanding how these kinesins work, both at a molecular level, and as ensembles of motors actively moving the same cargo. Insights from our studies will help us gain control of individual motors in cells so that their functions can be manipulated and studied in greater detail. They will also guide design of new biological parts for nano-sized machines that mimic the types of movement that occurs in cells. These advances could help develop Canadian-based technologies in molecular manufacturing of engineered nanosystems (e.g. hybrids of silicon technology and biological molecular machines) or contribute to emergent areas in biomedical research tool and molecular delivery system creation. Involvement of new graduate students in a program such as ours will therefore will help create a workforce of well-trained and highly sought-after future innovators.