SKA2

SKA2 is a kinetochore-associated protein of apicomplexan parasites, identified through interactomics and deep homology searches as one of 13 previously unknown components of a divergent multiprotein kinetochore complex (PMID:36006241). This complex is organised into at least four discrete subkinetochore compartments with distinct biochemical interactions and localizations, within which SKA2 participates in chromosome segregation control; kinetochores align at the metaphase plate in both Plasmodium berghei and Toxoplasma gondii, consistent with a conserved hold signal that prevents premature anaphase entry (PMID:36006241). Beyond this single identification and localization study, no further mechanistic detail about SKA2 has been characterized in the available corpus.

1. 2022 Medium

   Whether the apicomplexan kinetochore contains uncharacterized components was unknown; identifying SKA2 as part of a divergent multiprotein kinetochore complex established its role in chromosome segregation control in these parasites.

   Evidence Interactomics (co-IP/proximity labelling) plus deep homology searches and fluorescence microscopy for subkinetochore localization in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium berghei

   PMID:36006241

   Open questions at the time

   • The specific molecular activity of SKA2 within the complex is not defined
   • The direct binding partners and which of the four compartments SKA2 occupies are not resolved
   • The molecular basis of the proposed hold signal preventing premature anaphase is not established