KIF26A Is an Unconventional Kinesin and Regulates GDNF-Ret Signaling in Enteric Neuronal Development

Ruyun Zhou, Shinsuke Niwa, Noriko Homma, Yosuke Takei, Nobutaka Hirokawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

92 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)802-813
Number of pages12
JournalCell
Volume139
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 Nov 13

Keywords

  • CELLBIO
  • MOLNEURO
  • SIGNALING

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'KIF26A Is an Unconventional Kinesin and Regulates GDNF-Ret Signaling in Enteric Neuronal Development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this