KAR3 — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

SPAC3A11.14C (KAR3, pkl1) on chromosome 1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes a kinesin-like protein with a kinesin motor domain and ATP hydrolase activity. The gene product exhibits minus-end-directed and plus-end-directed microtubule motor activity, microtubule binding, and lateral microtubule binding. KAR3 is associated with numerous microtubule-related processes including spindle localization, meiotic spindle formation, centrosome duplication, metaphase spindle stability, nuclear migration during mitotic telophase, and plus-end-specific microtubule depolymerization. It is linked to mitotic chromosome movement to the spindle pole, spindle breakdown, and microtubule anchoring at the mitotic spindle pole body. Phenotypic associations include abnormal colony size, cell cycle progression defects (premature or delayed anaphase, metaphase, and G2/M transition), premature meiosis, increased sporulation, decreased lifespan, and abnormal nuclear fusion during mating. The protein localizes to microtubule minus-ends, plus-ends, astral microtubules, and the kinesin I complex.