Abstract
The kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) are motor proteins that transport organelles and protein complexes in a microtubule- and ATP-dependent manner. We identified KIF26A as a new member of the murine KIFs. KIF26A is a rather atypical member as it lacks ATPase activity. Mice with a homozygous deletion of Kif26a developed a megacolon with enteric nerve hyperplasia. Kif26a-/- enteric neurons showed hypersensitivity for GDNF-Ret signaling, and we find that KIF26A suppressed GDNF-Ret signaling by direct binding and inhibition of Grb2, an essential component of GDNF/Akt/ERK signaling. We therefore propose that the unconventional kinesin KIF26A plays a key role in enteric nervous system development by repressing a cell growth signaling pathway.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 802-813 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Cell |
Volume | 139 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 Nov 13 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- CELLBIO
- MOLNEURO
- SIGNALING
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)