Drug pipeline
Full profile accessExplore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.
- Drug candidates
- Developers
- Development stage
Target intelligence / Profile preview
Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP)
- Target
- KSP
- Molecular classification
- Kinesin superfamily, Kinesin-5 family, Molecular motor protein
01
Overview
Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP, HsEg5) is a molecular motor protein essential for mitosis. It belongs to the kinesin-5 family and plays a critical role in the formation of the bipolar mitotic spindle, chromosome positioning, and centrosome separation. KSP functions by sliding anti-parallel microtubules apart within the spindle apparatus. Because it is essential only in dividing cells, it is an attractive target for anticancer drug development. Inhibitors like ispinesib and monastrol lead to mitotic arrest and apoptosis.
- Other names
- HsEg5KIF11Eg5kinesin-5BimCN-2
02
Mechanism of action
Inhibition of KSP leads to monopolar spindles, failed cytokinesis, and apoptosis. Ispinesib prevents the release of ADP from KSP after ATP hydrolysis, blocking pole separation. Monastrol has a similar mechanism.
03
Biological functions
Formation of the bipolar mitotic spindleChromosome positioningCentrosome separationSliding apart anti-parallel microtubulesCell cycle progression through mitosis
04
Disease associations
Cancer
05
Safety considerations
Potential for off-target effects in other cycling cells (though less than traditional chemotherapeutics)Clinical trial failures suggest challenges in achieving therapeutic efficacy without unacceptable toxicity
06
Interacting drugs
Ispinesib (SB-715992)
1 more in the full profile.
Beyond the preview
Go deeper on Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP).
Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.
Clinical trials
Full profile accessFollow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.
- Trial design
- Status
- Readouts
Competitive landscape
Full profile accessCompare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.
- Programs
- Modalities
- Indications
Literature & evidence
Full profile accessInvestigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.
- Publications
- Sources
- Analysis
Patents
Full profile accessExplore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.
- Patents
- Assignees
- Technologies
Research & analysis
Full profile accessConnect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.
- Biology
- Development news
- Analysis
Bring the full picture into focus.
See how Gosset can support your research on Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP).