IDENTIFICATION OF KINESIN-LIKE MOLECULES IN MYOGENIC CELLS

Numerous organelles are repositioned during myogenic differentiation a nd are maintained in an asymmetric distribution throughout the life sp an of a myotube, It is likely that members of the kinesin superfamily may be responsible for some or all of these microtubule-dependent move ments. Consequently, we have attempted to identify kinesin-like molecu les expressed throughout myogenesis, Using a standard PCR-based strate gy, we cloned two kinesin-like molecules from a rat myogenic cell line , L6. Sequence analysis of the first of these, KIF3C, defines it as a novel member of the KIF3 subfamily of kinesin-like proteins. KIF3C is expressed throughout myogenesis as well as in numerous rat tissues. Li ke other members of the KIF3 subfamily KIF3C has an N-terminal motor d omain. The second molecule identified is a rat homolog of murine KIF1B , a putative mitochondrial transporter. KIF1B is also expressed ubiqui tously both in myogenic cells at all stages and in a variety of rat ti ssues.