A kinetochore-associated kinesin-7 motor cooperates with BUB3.3 to regulate mitotic chromosome congression in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

Faithful genome partition during cell division relies on proper congression of chromosomes to the spindle equator before sister chromatid segregation. Here we uncover a kinesin-7 motor, kinetochore-associated kinesin 1 (KAK1), that is required for mitotic chromosome congression in Arabidopsis. KAK1 associates dynamically with kinetochores throughout mitosis. Loss of KAK1 results in severe defects in chromosome congression at metaphase, yet segregation errors at anaphase are rarely observed. KAK1 specifically interacts with the spindle assembly checkpoint protein BUB3.3 and both proteins show interdependent kinetochore localization. Chromosome misalignment in BUB3.3-depleted plants can be rescued by artificial tethering of KAK1 to kinetochores but not vice versa, demonstrating that KAK1 acts downstream of BUB3.3 to orchestrate microtubule-based chromosome transport at kinetochores. Moreover, we show that KAK1’s motor activity is essential for driving chromosome congression to the metaphase plate. Thus, our findings reveal that plants have repurposed BUB3.3 to interface with a specialized kinesin adapted to integrate proper chromosome congression and checkpoint control through a distinct kinetochore design. This study identifies a kinesin motor at kinetochores that teams up with a key mitotic checkpoint protein to orchestrate proper chromosome movement during plant cell division, revealing a plant-specific mechanism for maintaining genetic integrity.