Photocontrol of mitotic kinesin Eg5 facilitated by thiol-reactive photochromic molecules incorporated into the loop L5 functional loop.

Kinesin Eg5 is a plus-end-directed microtubule-based motor that is essential for bipolar spindle formation during eukaryotic cell division. Loop L5 of mitotic kinesin Eg5 is a key region determining ATPase activity and motor function. Photochromic molecules undergo reversible isomerization in response to ultraviolet and visible light irradiation.