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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.08.20.671056

14-3-3ε, a universal adaptor protein, could bind to the tail domain of Kinesin-2 motor subunit KIF3B

Kumari, D.·Tangri, A.·Girotra, M.·Ray, K.
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Abstract

KIF3A/KIF3B/KAP complex is a subfamily of kinesin-2 proteins and is known to transport cargoes like N-cadherin, Rab4 vesicles, Par3-Par6-aPKC complex and intraflagellar proteins. The adaptor proteins to recruit the heterotrimeric kinesin-2 to its specific cargoes are not identified, and hence, not much is known about the mechanism for its cargo recognition and binding. The 14-3-3 family proteins form homo and heterodimers and bind to several types of receptors and protein kinases/phosphates to bring together a multiprotein complex regulating cell signalling. In this study, we show that one of the 14-3-3 isoforms,14-3-3{varepsilon}, can bind to KIF3B in vitro. We mapped the 14-3-3{varepsilon} binding site on the C-terminal tail domain of KIF3B with the help of acceptor photobleaching-Foster Resonance Energy Transfer and split-APEX2 assays. With this evidence, we propose for the first time that 14-3-3{varepsilon} can be a potential adaptor for kinesin-2.

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Kumari, D., Tangri, A., Girotra, M., Ray, K.. 2025-08-21. 14-3-3ε, a universal adaptor protein, could bind to the tail domain of Kinesin-2 motor subunit KIF3B. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.08.20.671056

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