{
  "id": 7824036,
  "title": "The chromokinesin Kid (KIF22) forms a homodimer, moves processively along microtubules, and transports double-stranded DNA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/the-chromokinesin-kid-kif22-forms-a-homodimer-moves-processively",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "eLife",
    "slug": "elife",
    "url": "https://elifesciences.org/articles/102828"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During prometaphase in mitosis, chromosomes are moved toward the spindle equator. The chromokinesin Kid, also known as KIF22, plays a role in this process by moving chromosomes along spindle microtubules. Traditionally, Kid was thought to be a monomeric and nonprocessive motor, distinct from typical kinesins. However, a recent study reveals that the full-length Kid forms a homodimer and exhibits processive movement along microtubules. A conserved coiled-coil domain within the stalk region of Kid is sufficient for this homodimer formation and is essential for its processivity. Additionally, the neck linker and coiled-coil domains of Kid can enhance the processive activity of the motor domain of KIF1A. This suggests that Kid possesses both a functional neck linker and dimerization capability, which are vital for kinesin motor domain processivity. Furthermore, the full-length Kid, containing a helix–hairpin–helix domain, has been found to transport double-stranded DNA along microtubules in vitro. According to AlphaFold3 prediction, the dimerization of Kid stabilizes its association with DNA. Collectively, these findings challenge the previous classification of Kid as a nonprocessive monomer and propose a reclassification as a processive and dimeric motor that transports DNA along microtubules.",
  "summary": "During prometaphase in mitosis, chromosomes are pushed toward the spindle equator. The chromokinesin Kid, also known as KIF22, moves chromosomes along spindle microtubules during prometaphase. Kid has long been considered a monomeric and nonprocessive motor, different from typical kinesins. In this study, we demonstrate that the full-length Kid forms a homodimer and moves processively along…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}