Kinesin-like protein KIF2C (KIF2C)

Kinesin-like protein KIF2C, also known as Mitotic Centromere-Associated Kinesin (MCAK), is a member of the kinesin-13 family and functions as a potent microtubule-dependent molecular motor (UniProt Q99661). Unlike most kinesins that transport cargo along microtubules, KIF2C primarily acts as a microtubule depolymerase, disassembling tubulin subunits from the ends of microtubules to regulate spindle assembly and ensure accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis (PubMed 19060894, 21820309). It is frequently overexpressed in a wide range of malignancies, including breast, liver, and lung cancers, where it acts as an oncogene promoting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion (PubMed 38237349). High expression of KIF2C is often associated with poor clinical prognosis and resistance to microtubule-targeting agents like paclitaxel (PubMed 38237349). Therapeutic strategies targeting KIF2C include small molecule inhibitors like 7S9 (KIF2C-IN-1) to sensitize tumors to chemotherapy, as well as agonists like UMK57 that aim to suppress chromosomal instability by enhancing its depolymerization activity (PubMed 34259574). Beyond its role in cancer, KIF2C is also involved in DNA damage repair and synaptic plasticity, suggesting potential implications in neurodegenerative diseases (PubMed 2.4.3).

Other names

Mitotic centromere-associated kinesinMCAKKNSL6Kinesin-like protein 6CT139Kinesin family member 2C

Inhibition or potentiation of microtubule depolymerization activity to modulate mitotic spindle dynamics and chromosome segregation.