KIF5C

KIF5C is a member of the kinesin family of motor proteins that plays essential roles in intracellular transport and neuronal function. The protein is encoded by the KIF5C gene in humans and belongs to the kinesin-1 subfamily of conventional kinesins.

The KIF5C protein functions as a microtubule-based motor enzyme, utilizing ATP hydrolysis to generate mechanical force for transporting various cellular cargoes along microtubule tracks. It is particularly abundant in neurons, where it contributes to the transport of organelles, vesicles, and other cellular components from the cell body toward the axon terminals. This anterograde transport is critical for maintaining neuronal polarity and proper synaptic function.

Structurally, KIF5C contains several key domains including an N-terminal motor domain responsible for microtubule binding and ATP hydrolysis, a coiled-coil region for dimerization, and a C-terminal cargo-binding domain. The protein typically functions as part of a heterotetrameric complex that includes light chains, which help regulate cargo attachment and transport specificity.

Mutations in the KIF5C gene have been associated with several neurological disorders, including hereditary spastic paraplegia and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. These conditions highlight the protein's importance in maintaining proper neuronal function and axonal transport. Research has also implicated KIF5C in synaptic plasticity and learning processes, suggesting broader roles in nervous system development and maintenance.

Expression of KIF5C is tightly regulated, with highest levels found in brain tissue, particularly in regions associated with learning and memory. The protein's activity is modulated by various post-translational modifications including phosphorylation, which can affect its motor function and cargo binding properties.

Current research continues to explore KIF5C's involvement in neurodegenerative diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target for neurological conditions related to impaired axonal transport.