A mutual co-recognition mechanism ensures the proper assembly of heterotrimeric kinesin-2 for intraflagellar transport

Heterotrimeric kinesin-2, composed of two distinct kinesin motors and a kinesin-associated protein (KAP), is essential for intraflagellar transport and ciliogenesis. KAP specifically recognizes the hetero-paired motor tails for the holoenzyme assembly, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we determine the structure of KAP-1 in complex with the hetero-paired tails from kinesin-2 motors KLP-20 and KLP-11. KAP-1 forms an elongated superhelical structure characterized by a central groove and a C-terminal helical (CTH)-hook. The two motor tails fold together and are co-recognized by the central groove of KAP-1. The adjacent hetero-pairing trigger sequences preceding the two tails form an intertwined heterodimer, which co-captures the CTH-hook of KAP-1 to complete the holoenzyme assembly. Mutations in the interfaces between KAP-1 and the two tails disrupt the heterotrimeric kinesin-2 complex and impair kinesin-2-mediated intraflagellar transport. Thus, KAP-1 and the hetero-paired motors are mutually co-recognized, ensuring the proper assembly of heterotrimeric kinesin-2 for cargo transport. Kinesin-2 is a motor protein important for cargo transport and ciliogenesis. Here, the authors report the structure of the heterotrimeric kinesin-2 motor tail complex, revealing the interaction mechanisms that assemble the holoenzyme from its subunits.