Kinetochore kinesins

The dynamic instability of spindle microtubules at the other end, the (+) end, is critical to their capture of chromosomes during late prophase as the nuclear membrane begins to break down. By quickly lengthening and shortening at its (-k) end, a dynamic microtubule probes into the chromosome-rich environment of the cell. Sometimes the (+) end of a microtubule directly contacts a kinetochore, scoring a bull s-eye. More commonly, a kinetochore contacts the side of a microtubule and then slides along the microtubule to the (+) end in a process that includes cytosolic dynein and mitotic kinesins... 

Figure 17.7 Kinesins at the kinetochore attach to the lateral surface of microtubules. KInetochores attach to the plus ends of microtubules at which there Is constant exchange for tubulin monomers. This exchange leads to growth and shrinkage. Attachment Is maintained by kinesins that bind to the side of the microtubule, not the unstable end.

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