Localization of a kinesin-like calmodulin-binding protein in dividing cells of Arabidopsis and tobacco

The cloning and characterization of a novel kinesin-like protein (kinesin-like calmodulin-binding protein, KCBP) from Arabidopsis and other plants has recently been described. Unlike all other known kinesin-like proteins, KCBP interacts with calmodulin in the presence of micromolar calcium. An antibody specific to KCBP was raised using a calmodulin-binding synthetic peptide that is unique to KCBP. The KCBP antibody detected a single protein of about 140 kDa in Arabidopsis and tobacco, the size predicted from cDNA sequences. In synchronized cell cultures, the amount of KCBP was abundant during M-phase and very low in interphase. To get some insight into the function of this novel motor protein, KCBP in Arabidopsis and tobacco cells was localized by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using affinity-purified anti-KCBP antibody. The KCBP was localized to the preprophase band, the mitotic spindle and the phragmoplast. The association of KCBP with microtubule arrays in dividing cells suggests that this minus-end-directed microtubule motor protein is likely to be involved in the formation of these microtubule arrays and/or functions associated with these structures.