The mechanochemistry of the kinesin-2 KIF3AC heterodimer is related to strain-dependent kinetic properties of KIF3A and KIF3C

KIF3AC is a mammalian neuron-specific kinesin-2 implicated in intracellular cargo transport. It is a heterodimer of KIF3A and KIF3C motor polypeptides which have distinct biochemical and motile properties as engineered homodimers. Single-molecule motility assays show that KIF3AC moves processively along microtubules at a rate faster than expected given the motility rates of the KIF3AA and much slower KIF3CC homodimers. To resolve the stepping kinetics of KIF3A and KIF3C motors in homo- and heterodimeric constructs and determine their transport potential under load, we assayed motor activity using interferometric scattering microscopy and optical trapping. The distribution of stepping durations of KIF3AC molecules is described by a rate (k₁ = 11 s^-1) without apparent kinetic asymmetry. Asymmetry was also not apparent under hindering or assisting mechanical loads in the optical trap. KIF3AC shows increased force sensitivity relative to KIF3AA yet is more capable of stepping against mechanical load than KIF3CC. Interestingly, the behavior of KIF3C mirrors prior studies of kinesins with increased interhead compliance. Microtubule gliding assays containing 1:1 mixtures of KIF3AA and KIF3CC result in speeds similar to KIF3AC, suggesting the homodimers mechanically impact each other’s motility to reproduce the behavior of the heterodimer. Our observations are consistent with a mechanism in which the stepping of KIF3C can be activated by KIF3A in a strain-dependent manner, similar to application of an assisting load. These results suggest that the mechanochemical properties of KIF3AC can be explained by the strain-dependent kinetics of KIF3A and KIF3C.