GBP binds kinesin light chain and translocates during cortical rotation in Xenopus eggs

Development. 2003 Nov;130(22):5425-36. doi: 10.1242/dev.00737. Epub 2003 Sep 24.

Abstract

In Xenopus, axis development is initiated by dorsally elevated levels of cytoplasmic beta-catenin, an intracellular factor regulated by GSK3 kinase activity. Upon fertilization, factors that increase beta-catenin stability are translocated to the prospective dorsal side of the embryo in a microtubule-dependent process. However, neither the identity of these factors nor the mechanism of their movement is understood. Here, we show that the GSK3 inhibitory protein GBP/Frat binds kinesin light chain (KLC), a component of the microtubule motor kinesin. Upon egg activation, GBP-GFP and KLC-GFP form particles and exhibit directed translocation. KLC, through a previously uncharacterized conserved domain, binds a region of GBP that is required for GBP translocation and for GSK3 binding, and competes with GSK3 for GBP. We propose a model in which conventional kinesin transports a GBP-containing complex to the future dorsal side, where GBP dissociates and contributes to the local stabilization of beta-catenin by binding and inhibiting GSK3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dishevelled Proteins
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Kinesins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Ovum / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Protein Transport / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Xenopus
  • Xenopus Proteins*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Dishevelled Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • PIAS1 protein, Xenopus
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Kinesins