A new crystal structure of a kinesin mutant with greater mechanical output than wild type-identification of a structural element involved in force production

The kinesin-14 Ncd microtubule motor protein plays a central role in division in Drosophila oocytes and early embryos. The motor binds to microtubules and hydrolyzes ATP to produce force and slide microtubules during spindle assembly. The force production mechanism is thought to involve coupling of ATP hydrolysis to small conformational changes in the motor domain that store and release energy, and are amplified by the large rotation of the coiled-coil stalk. However, these changes have not been fully identified.