Plus-end directionality is present in the catalytic core of kinesin-14 minus-end directed motors.

Abstract

Molecular motors move along microtubules unidirectionally. However, the origin of directionality is not clear. Here kinesin-14 monomers were engineered such that they could be anchored via either their N- or C-termini, leaving the opposite terminal regions mechanically disconnected from the surface. We find that the conserved catalytic motor core of kinesin-14 has intrinsic plus-end directionality and that the proper function of the neck-helix region is required to achieve minus-end directionality.