Kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A)

Kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A) is a chromosome-associated molecular motor protein of the kinesin-4 family, essential for accurate chromosome condensation, alignment, and segregation during mitosis. KIF4A localizes primarily to the nucleus in interphase cells and to chromosome arms and the central spindle during mitotic divisions, where it interacts with condensin complexes and microtubule-associated proteins, such as PRC1, to facilitate cytokinesis and chromosome architecture. Its ATPase-driven motor activity enables it to translocate along microtubules with coordinated movement. KIF4A plays further roles in DNA replication, DNA repair, cell cycle progression (by modulating cell cycle regulatory genes such as p21), and neuronal development (promoting axon growth via cargo transport). Overexpression of KIF4A is seen in numerous cancers, where it acts as an oncogene by enhancing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and its high expression often correlates with poor prognosis. KIF4A is under investigation as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker, especially in oncology. No approved drugs target KIF4A directly, but its inhibition has shown antiproliferative effects in preclinical studies.

Other names

Chromosome-associated kinesin KIF4AKIF4KIF4-G1KIF4G1MRX100Chromokinesin-Achromokinesin KIF4ATMDIXLID100HSA271784FLJ12530FLJ12655FLJ14204FLJ20631

Inhibition of KIF4A function leads to cell cycle arrest (G0/G1 phase), reduction in cell proliferation, and impaired chromosome segregation, primarily by affecting structural chromosome dynamics and cell cycle regulatory proteins (e.g., modulation of p21 and cyclins).