Resurrecting ancestral kinesins

• Applicants: Privatdozent Dr. Martin Kollmar; Professor Dr. Manfred Schliwa
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2007 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 52671024

In the course of evolution, kinesin motors have diversified extensively and presently can be classified into at least 14 families of different molecular anatomy and cellular function. Thanks to numerous sequencing projects, the sequences of hundreds of kinesins are available, allowing to retrace their evolutionary relationship. Using the Kinesin-1 family as a starting point, here we propose to first reconstruct the ancestor of animal and fungal Kinesin-1, respectively, as well as their common ancestor. Using an approach known as "protein resurrection", the reconstructed kinesin-1 proteins will be synthesized and their functional properties studied in vitro. This approach should not only provide clues to the underlying functional differences but also offers insights into the evolutionary past of kinesin motors. In subsequent studies this line of experimentation will also be extended to other kinesin families. The project requires expertise in both bioinformatics and protein analysis.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. John Parsch