Kinectin 1 (KTN1)

Kinectin 1 (KTN1) is a large integral membrane protein that serves as a receptor for the microtubule motor kinesin, facilitating vesicle and organelle transport along microtubules within the cytoplasm. It is primarily localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and participates in cell adhesion and cytoskeleton dynamics. KTN1’s upregulation has been linked to cancer progression, notably in triple-negative breast cancer where it drives tumor growth and metastasis via the NF-κB/CXCL8 signaling axis. Knockdown or inhibition of KTN1 impairs cancer cell proliferation and invasion, indicating therapeutic potential. KTN1 is also involved in the cellular response to stress and interacts with several protein partners, including kinesin, Rho GTPases, and elongation factors. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants of this gene.

Other names

KinectinCG1KIAA0004KNTCG-1 antigenKinesin receptorMU-RMS-40.19KTN1

For putative drugs: inhibition of kinesin-interaction or modulation of NF-κB/CXCL8 transcription. Inhibiting KTN1 blocks cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness in functional studies.