The kinesin superfamily protein KIF17: one protein with many functions

Abstract

Kinesins are ATP-dependent molecular motors that carry cargos along microtubules, generally in an anterograde direction. They are classified into 14 distinct families with varying structural and functional characteristics. KIF17 is a member of the kinesin-2 family that is plus end-directed. It is a homodimer with a pair of head motor domains that bind microtubules, a coiled-coil stalk, and a tail domain that binds cargos. In neurons, KIF17 transports N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2B subunit, kainate receptor GluR5, and potassium Kv4.2 channels from cell bodies exclusively to dendrites. These cargos are necessary for synaptic transmission, learning, memory, and other functions. KIF17’s interaction with NXF2 enables the transport of mRNA bidirectionally in dendrites. KIF17 or its homolog OSM-3 also mediates intraflagellar transport of cargos to the distal tips of flagella or cilia, thereby aiding in ciliogenesis. In many invertebrate and vertebrate sensory cells, KIF17 delivers cargos that contribute to chemosensory perception and signal transduction. In vertebrate photoreceptors, KIF17 is necessary for outer segment development and disc morphogenesis. In the testis, KIF17 (KIF17b) mediates microtubule-independent delivery of ACT from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and microtubule-dependent transport of Spatial-ε, both are presumably involved in spermatogenesis. KIF17 is also implicated in epithelial polarity and morphogenesis, placental transport and development, and the development of specific brain regions. The transcriptional regulation of KIF17 has recently been found to be mediated by nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), which also regulates NR2B as well as energy metabolism in neurons. Dysfunctions of KIF17 are linked to a number of pathologies.

Presynaptic NMDA receptors: dynamics and distribution in developing axons in vitro and in vivo

“…However, dendritic NR2A and NR2B move anterogradely at ,0.7-0.8 mm/s (Yin et al, 2012;Yin et al, 2011). Similar velocities (,0.7 mm/s) have been reported for KIF17 (Guillaud et al, 2003;Wong-Riley and Besharse, 2012), a motor that transports dendritic NMDARs (Guillaud et al, 2003;Guillaud et al, 2008;Setou et al, 2000;Song et al, 2009;Yin et al, 2012;Yin et al, 2011).…”

Heterotrimeric Kinesin-2 (KIF3) Mediates Transition Zone and Axoneme Formation of Mouse Photoreceptors

“…Discovered in sea urchin eggs (23), KIF3 is present in a broad range of species, including Chlamydomonas (24,25), Caenorhabditis elegans (26), and zebrafish (10,27,28). Germline deletion of mouse KIF3a is embryonically lethal, and photoreceptor-specific dis-* This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants EY08123, ruption of KIF3A caused OS protein mistrafficking with rapid degeneration (29,30).…”

The barrier, airway particle clearance, placental and detoxification functions of autism susceptibility genes

“…IL6 promotes regeneration of airway ciliated cells from basal stem cells (Tadokoro et al, 2014). The Kinesin, KIF17, transports cargos to the distal tips of flagella or cilia (Wong-Riley and Besharse, 2012). Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF : receptor = MET) is an important fibroblast-derived factor that contributes to the development of bronchial epithelial cells and ciliogenesis (Myerburg et al, 2007) .…”