Work

Kinesin molecular motor Eg5 functions during polypeptide synthesis

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: The kinesin-related molecular motor Eg5 plays roles in cell division, promoting spindle assembly. We show that during interphase Eg5 is associated with ribosomes and is required for optimal nascent polypeptide synthesis. When Eg5 was inhibited, ribosomes no longer bound to microtubules in vitro, ribosome transit rates slowed, and polysomes accumulated in intact cells, suggesting defects in elongation or termination during polypeptide synthesis. These results demonstrate that the molecular motor Eg5 associates with ribosomes and enhances the efficiency of translation.

Source: Molecular Biology of the Cell

DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e11-03-0211

Authors: Kristen M. Bartoli, Jelena Jakovljevic, John L. Woolford, William S. Saunders

Institutions: University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University

Language: English

Topic: RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Pittsburgh, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Awards: G48081781, Aurora B-Induced Cytokinesis Defects in Malignant Cells, Yeast Ribosome Biogenesis