Characterization of Kinesin-3 and Kinesin-3 cargo in transit within the axon (2008 - Present)

Investigator:  Joseph DeGiorgis, Providence College
Mentor:  Thomas Reese, National Institute of Health 

Abstract:  Axonal transport is a process in which membrane bound particles are in transit along microtubules powered by motor proteins belonging to the kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein superfamilies. Recently we identified a Kinesin-3 (KIF1A) that co-purifies with axoplasmic organelles and localizes to organelle/microtubule interfaces. Antibodies raised against Kinesin-3 decorate 100 nm organelles in extruded axoplasm and inhibit organelle transport towards the plus ends of microtubules. These finding suggest that Kinesin-3 may be responsible for moving 100 nm organelles towards the plus ends of microtubules. Here, we propose to characterize the motor properties of purified Kinesin-3 and to identify the molecular anatomy of the Kinesin-3 cargo. Understanding the rate and direction of Kinesin-3 movement and the molecular composition of its cargo will help establish Kinesin-3’s role in the axon and determine it’s contribution to motor mediated transport.