Eg5 Antibody

Background

Eg5 (also known as kinesin-5 and KIF11) is a homo-tetramer which cross-links anti-parallel microtubules in the mitotic spindle to maintain spindle bipolarity. Eg5, a member of the Kinesin-5 subclass of kinesins, is a plus-end-directed tetrameric kinesin-family protein that influences the assembly and organization of the mitotic spindle, a self-assembled and dynamic microtubule-based structure that orchestrates chromosome segregation in dividing cells. Eg5 action is essential: when it is depleted from the cytoplasm of meiotically-mature Xenopus laevis eggs, abnormal monopolar spindles form, preventing successful division. Eg5 is expressed in all cells during mitosis and in post-mitotic neurons during development. In developing neurons pharmacological inhibition and siRNA knockdown of Eg5 results in longer axons, more branches, fewer bouts of axon retraction and the inability of growth cones to turn on contact with repulsive substrates. In migratory neurons, inhibition of Eg5 causes neurons to migrate in a random pattern and form shorter leading processes. In adult neurons, Eg5 has a similar effect on inhibiting the rate of short microtubule transport so pharmacological inhibition of adult Eg5 (i.e Monastrol) may be a potential therapeutic tool for the augmentation of adult axon regeneration.