Cargo binding and regulatory sites in the tail of fungal conventional kinesin

Here, using a quantitative in vivo assay, we map three regions in the carboxy terminus of conventional kinesin that are involved in cargo association, folding and regulation, respectively. Using C-terminal and internal deletions, point mutations, localization studies, and an engineered 'minimal' kinesin, we identify five heptads of a coiled-coil domain in the kinesin tail that are necessary and sufficient for cargo association. Mutational analysis and in vitro ATPase assays highlight a conserved motif in the globular tail that is involved in regulation of the motor domain; a region preceding this motif participates in folding. Although these sites are spatially and functionally distinct, they probably cooperate during activation of the motor for cargo transport.