Kinesin-like protein KIF3C

KIF3C (Kinesin-like protein KIF3C) is a molecular motor protein that functions as a microtubule-based anterograde translocator for membranous organelles (UniProt: O14782). It belongs to the kinesin superfamily and plays a central role in intracellular cargo transport along microtubules, facilitating the movement of vesicles and organelles toward the cell periphery.

This protein is broadly expressed and participates in fundamental cellular processes including vesicular trafficking and organelle positioning. The UniProt record lists no curated genetic disease associations, though kinesin family members are implicated in various neurological conditions due to their essential roles in neuronal transport and axonal function.

KIF3C is downregulated in Alzheimer's disease brain tissue (Chaparral AD proteomics). Analysis of post-mortem AD brain compared to age-matched controls using quantitative proteomics revealed a mean log2 fold-change of −0.65 across subcellular fractions, indicating reduced protein levels associated with AD pathology. This downregulation may reflect compromised intracellular transport capacity in AD neurons, potentially contributing to the accumulation of misfolded proteins and synaptic dysfunction characteristic of the disease.