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Multi-talented MCAK: Microtubule depolymerizer with a strong grip

Nature Cell Biology volume 13, pages 738–740 (2011)Cite this article

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Microtubule-depolymerizing motor proteins regulate microtubule dynamics during chromosome segregation, but whether they can independently grip the ends of shrinking kinetochore microtubules has remained unresolved. MCAK, a member of the kinesin-13 motor protein family, is now shown to grip microtubules on its own and harness the forces of microtubule disassembly.

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Figure 1: Experimental configuration to measure the forces related to GMPCPP-stabilized microtubule depolymerization by MCAK in the presence of ATP.

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  1. Stefan Diez is at B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden and Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany,

    Stefan Diez

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  1. Stefan Diez
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Correspondence to Stefan Diez.

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Diez, S. Multi-talented MCAK: Microtubule depolymerizer with a strong grip. Nat Cell Biol 13, 738–740 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb0711-738

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