Kinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning

Abstract Division plane positioning in plants relies on the remarkably accurate selection of the cortical division zone (CDZ), earmarked by the preprophase band of microtubules. The PHRAGMOPLAST ORIENTING KINESIN 1 and 2 (POK1/2) play pivotal roles in CDZ maintenance in mitosis and guide the approac...

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Main Authors: Pantelis Livanos, Choy Kriechbaum, Sophia Remers, Arvid Herrmann, Sabine Müller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58852-w
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author Pantelis Livanos
Choy Kriechbaum
Sophia Remers
Arvid Herrmann
Sabine Müller
author_facet Pantelis Livanos
Choy Kriechbaum
Sophia Remers
Arvid Herrmann
Sabine Müller
author_sort Pantelis Livanos
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Division plane positioning in plants relies on the remarkably accurate selection of the cortical division zone (CDZ), earmarked by the preprophase band of microtubules. The PHRAGMOPLAST ORIENTING KINESIN 1 and 2 (POK1/2) play pivotal roles in CDZ maintenance in mitosis and guide the approaching phragmoplast during cytokinesis. Our knowledge regarding the mechanism of POK recruitment and subsequent maintenance is hitherto limited. Here, we report that POK2 arrives at the preprophase band utilizing a secondary microtubule-binding site within its carboxy-terminus. Effective tethering to the plasma membrane is achieved through non-specific electrostatic interactions with phospholipids. Reaching the cortex via premitotic cortical microtubules emerges as a prerequisite for POK2 polarization, as the order and the density of prophase microtubules become particularly relevant in the preprophase band-compromised mutant trm678. POK2 binding to cortical microtubules templates its future position at the cortex and appears critical for adequate division site setup and consequently tissue architecture.
format Article
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issn 2041-1723
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spelling doaj-art-93c66254adbf45d08741daf2c29edbfc2025-08-20T03:10:31ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111710.1038/s41467-025-58852-wKinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioningPantelis Livanos0Choy Kriechbaum1Sophia Remers2Arvid Herrmann3Sabine Müller4Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergCell Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergCell Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergCenter for Plant Molecular Biology, Developmental Genetics, Eberhard Karls Universität TübingenCell Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergAbstract Division plane positioning in plants relies on the remarkably accurate selection of the cortical division zone (CDZ), earmarked by the preprophase band of microtubules. The PHRAGMOPLAST ORIENTING KINESIN 1 and 2 (POK1/2) play pivotal roles in CDZ maintenance in mitosis and guide the approaching phragmoplast during cytokinesis. Our knowledge regarding the mechanism of POK recruitment and subsequent maintenance is hitherto limited. Here, we report that POK2 arrives at the preprophase band utilizing a secondary microtubule-binding site within its carboxy-terminus. Effective tethering to the plasma membrane is achieved through non-specific electrostatic interactions with phospholipids. Reaching the cortex via premitotic cortical microtubules emerges as a prerequisite for POK2 polarization, as the order and the density of prophase microtubules become particularly relevant in the preprophase band-compromised mutant trm678. POK2 binding to cortical microtubules templates its future position at the cortex and appears critical for adequate division site setup and consequently tissue architecture.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58852-w
spellingShingle Pantelis Livanos
Choy Kriechbaum
Sophia Remers
Arvid Herrmann
Sabine Müller
Kinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning
Nature Communications
title Kinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning
title_full Kinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning
title_fullStr Kinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning
title_full_unstemmed Kinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning
title_short Kinesin-12 POK2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning
title_sort kinesin 12 pok2 polarization is a prerequisite for a fully functional division site and aids cell plate positioning
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58852-w
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