Klp10A, a Microtubule-Depolymerizing Kinesin-13, Cooperates with CP110 to Control Drosophila Centriole Length

SummaryKlp10A is a kinesin-13 of Drosophila melanogaster that depolymerizes cytoplasmic microtubules [ 1]. In interphase, it promotes microtubule catastrophe [ 2, 3 and 4]; in mitosis, it contributes to anaphase chromosome movement by enabling tubulin flux [ 1 and 5]. Here we show that Klp10A also acts as a microtubule depolymerase on centriolar microtubules to regulate centriole length. Thus, in both cultured cell lines and the testes, absence of Klp10A leads to longer centrioles that show incomplete 9-fold symmetry at their ends. These structures and associated pericentriolar material undergo fragmentation. We also show that in contrast to mammalian cells where depletion of CP110 leads to centriole elongation [6], in Drosophila cells it results in centriole length diminution that is overcome by codepletion of Klp10A to give longer centrioles than usual. We discuss how loss of centriole capping by CP110 might have different consequences for centriole length in mammalian [ 6, 7 and 8] and insect cells and also relate these findings to the functional interactions between mammalian CP110 and another kinesin-13, Kif24, that in mammalian cells regulates cilium formation.

► Centriole length is controlled by microtubule depolymerization via Klp10A
► CP110 protects centrioles from shortening by destabilizing agents
► CP110 and the kinesin-13 Klp10A cooperate to control centriole length