Kinesin heavy chain isoform 5C

KIF5C (kinesin heavy chain isoform 5C) is a microtubule-associated motor protein with ATPase activity that functions in organelle transport, synaptic transmission, and anterograde axonal trafficking (UniProt: O60282). It mediates dendritic mRNA trafficking and is required for MAPK8IP3/JIP3-dependent axon elongation. The protein is associated with cortical dysplasia and complex brain malformations (CDCBM2) when mutated, reflecting its critical role in neuronal development and axonal guidance.

In Alzheimer's Disease, KIF5C is significantly down-regulated in post-mortem AD brain tissue compared to age-matched controls (mean log2 fold-change: −0.55; Chaparral AD proteomics). This reduction was detected across two subcellular fractions in a TMT-labeled tandem mass spectrometry study examining four fractions from AD and control brain samples. The consistent down-regulation suggests impaired axonal transport capacity in AD pathology.