A mitotic kinesin-6, Pav-KLP, mediates interdependent cortical reorganization and spindle dynamics in Drosophila embryos

J Cell Sci. 2010 Jun 1;123(Pt 11):1862-72. doi: 10.1242/jcs.064048. Epub 2010 May 4.

Abstract

We investigated the role of Pav-KLP, a kinesin-6, in the coordination of spindle and cortical dynamics during mitosis in Drosophila embryos. In vitro, Pav-KLP behaves as a dimer. In vivo, it localizes to mitotic spindles and furrows. Inhibition of Pav-KLP causes defects in both spindle dynamics and furrow ingression, as well as causing changes in the distribution of actin and vesicles. Thus, Pav-KLP stabilizes the spindle by crosslinking interpolar microtubule bundles and contributes to actin furrow formation possibly by transporting membrane vesicles, actin and/or actin regulatory molecules along astral microtubules. Modeling suggests that furrow ingression during cellularization depends on: (1) a Pav-KLP-dependent force driving an initial slow stage of ingression; and (2) the subsequent Pav-KLP-driven transport of actin- and membrane-containing vesicles to the furrow during a fast stage of ingression. We hypothesize that Pav-KLP is a multifunctional mitotic motor that contributes both to bundling of interpolar microtubules, thus stabilizing the spindle, and to a biphasic mechanism of furrow ingression by pulling down the furrow and transporting vesicles that deliver new material to the descending furrow.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / administration & dosage
  • Drosophila / cytology*
  • Drosophila / embryology
  • Drosophila Proteins / immunology
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Fluorescence
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / immunology
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubule-Organizing Center / drug effects
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Protein Transport
  • Spindle Apparatus / drug effects
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism*
  • Spindle Apparatus / ultrastructure
  • Tubulin Modulators / immunology
  • Tubulin Modulators / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Tubulin Modulators
  • pav protein, Drosophila