Kin I kinesins: insights into the mechanism of depolymerization

Kin I kinesins are members of the diverse kinesin superfamily of molecular motors. Whereas most kinesins use ATP to move along microtubules, Kin I kinesins depolymerize microtubules rather than walk along them. Functionally, this distinct subfamily of kinesins is important in regulating cellular microtubule dynamics and plays a crucial role in spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. The molecular mechanism of Kin I-induced microtubule destabilization is as yet unclear. It is generally believed that Kin Is induce a structural change on the microtubule that leads to microtubule destabilization. Recently, much progress has been made towards understanding how Kin Is may cause this structural change, and how ATPase activity is employed in the catalytic cycle.