KIF3A

UniProt ID: Q9Y496
Organism: Homo sapiens
Review Status: COMPLETE
πŸ“ Provide Detailed Feedback

Gene Description

KIF3A is a kinesin-2 family motor subunit. It heterodimerizes with KIF3B through its central coiled-coil stalk and associates with the non-motor cargo-binding subunit KAP3 (KIFAP3) to form the heterotrimeric kinesin-II complex, an ATP-driven plus-end-directed microtubule motor (C. elegans KLP-20/KLP-11 with KAP-1). Its best-characterized role is driving anterograde intraflagellar transport: kinesin-II moves IFT-B/IFT-A trains carrying axonemal and membrane cargo from the ciliary base to the tip, and it is required for assembly of primary and motile cilia, for ciliary entry of Smoothened and for Hedgehog signal transduction. Outside cilia, kinesin-II transports membranous organelles and vesicles (for example N-cadherin-containing carriers, regulated by CaMKII/POPX2 phosphorylation of KIF3A Ser690, and late endosomes/lysosomes), localizes with spindle microtubules and centrosomes in mitosis, and, independently of IFT, KIF3A recruits the dynactin subunit p150Glued to subdistal appendages of the mother centriole, supporting centrosomal microtubule anchoring, centriole cohesion and basal foot formation.

Existing Annotations Review

GO Term Evidence Action Reason
GO:0003777 microtubule motor activity
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule motor activity (IBA). KIF3A is the motor subunit of the heterotrimeric kinesin-II.
Reason: Core molecular function; the more specific plus-end-directed microtubule motor activity is also annotated.
GO:0003777 microtubule motor activity
IEA
GO_REF:0000120
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule motor activity (IEA, InterPro kinesin motor domain).
Reason: Correct domain-based inference.
GO:0003777 microtubule motor activity
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule motor activity (ISS from mouse Kif3a).
Reason: Correct.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:16298999
Role of the kinesin-2 family protein, KIF3, during mitosis.
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845), the non-motor cargo-binding subunit of kinesin-II.
Reason: Generic protein binding is uninformative; KAP3 association is the definition of the kinesin-II complex, captured by GO:0016939.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:16298999
Kinesin-2 is composed of two microtubule-based motor subunits, KIF3A/3B, and a kinesin-associated protein known as KAP3, which links KIF3A/3B to cargo
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:17043677
Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 Interactome: evidence for the c...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with DISC1 (Q9NRI5) from a DISC1 interactome Y2H screen.
Reason: Generic protein binding from an interactome screen; uninformative about KIF3A function.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:19934039
Inositol pyrophosphate mediated pyrophosphorylation of AP3B1...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with AP3B1 isoform 1 (O00203-1).
Reason: Generic protein binding; uninformative. A cargo-adaptor relationship may exist but is not established as a KIF3A molecular function here.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:20643351
Pitchfork regulates primary cilia disassembly and left-right...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with Pitchfork/PIFO/CIMAP3 (Q8TCI5).
Reason: Generic protein binding; uninformative.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:20643351
We show that Pifo colocalizes and/or physically interacts with Rab6, Rab8, Rab11, Arl13b, Ξ²-, Ξ³-Tubulin, Centrin, and the MT-motor protein Kif3a
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:20643351
Pitchfork regulates primary cilia disassembly and left-right...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with mouse Pifo (Q9D9W1).
Reason: Generic protein binding; uninformative.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:22261744
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis protein CLN3 interacts with m...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with CLN3 (Q13286). CLN3 interacts with kinesin-2 among other motor components.
Reason: Generic protein binding; uninformative about KIF3A activity.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:22261744
CLN3 interacted with motor components driving both plus and minus end microtubular trafficking: tubulin, dynactin, dynein and kinesin-2.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:24338362
POPX2 phosphatase regulates the KIF3 kinesin motor complex.
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845) in the POPX2 study.
Reason: Generic protein binding; kinesin-II complex membership captured by GO:0016939.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:24591568
FIP5 phosphorylation during mitosis regulates apical traffic...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with RAB11FIP5 (Q9BXF6).
Reason: Generic protein binding; uninformative.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:26496610
A human interactome in three quantitative dimensions organiz...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845), quantitative interactome.
Reason: Generic protein binding; captured by kinesin II complex.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:27173435
An organelle-specific protein landscape identifies novel dis...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845), ciliary organelle interactome.
Reason: Generic protein binding; captured by kinesin II complex.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:28514442
Architecture of the human interactome defines protein commun...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845), BioPlex.
Reason: Generic protein binding; captured by kinesin II complex.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:31413325
HENA, heterogeneous network-based data set for Alzheimer's d...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with DISC1 (Q9NRI5), HENA aggregated network.
Reason: Generic protein binding from a network compilation; uninformative.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:33961781
Dual proteome-scale networks reveal cell-specific remodeling...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845), BioPlex dual proteome.
Reason: Generic protein binding; captured by kinesin II complex.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:35271311
OpenCell: Endogenous tagging for the cartography of human ce...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845), OpenCell.
Reason: Generic protein binding; captured by kinesin II complex.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:40205054
Multimodal cell maps as a foundation for structural and func...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein binding with KAP3/KIFAP3 (Q92845), multimodal cell maps.
Reason: Generic protein binding; captured by kinesin II complex.
GO:0005524 ATP binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: ATP binding (IEA, kinesin motor domain).
Reason: Kinesin motors bind and hydrolyse ATP.
GO:0005737 cytoplasm
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytoplasm (IBA).
Reason: Correct general location for a cytoplasmic motor.
GO:0005813 centrosome
IDA
PMID:16298999
Role of the kinesin-2 family protein, KIF3, during mitosis.
ACCEPT
Summary: Centrosome (IDA). Kinesin-2 localizes with centrosomes and spindle microtubules during mitosis.
Reason: Direct evidence; consistent with mother-centriole localization (PMID:23386061).
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:16298999
the kinesin-2 complex is localized with components of the mitotic apparatus such as spindle microtubules and centrosomes
GO:0005814 centriole
IDA
PMID:23386061
Kif3a interacts with Dynactin subunit p150 Glued to organize...
ACCEPT
Summary: Centriole (IDA). Kif3a localizes to the mother centriole subdistal appendage region.
Reason: Direct evidence.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:23386061
Kif3a localizes to the mother centriole and interacts with the Dynactin subunit p150(Glued).
GO:0005814 centriole
IEA
GO_REF:0000120
ACCEPT
Summary: Centriole (IEA).
Reason: Corroborated by IDA.
GO:0005829 cytosol
IEA
GO_REF:0000117
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol (IEA, ARBA).
Reason: Kinesin-II has a soluble cytosolic pool and moves cargo in the cytoplasm; correct.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-2213248
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol (TAS, Reactome transport of MHC II molecules; KIF3A included in a generic kinesin set).
Reason: Cytosolic location of kinesin-II is correct; the Reactome reaction context is a generic kinesin set and does not itself describe a KIF3A-specific process.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-6811423
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol (TAS, Reactome retrograde COPI vesicle tethering; generic kinesin set).
Reason: Cytosolic location of kinesin-II is correct; the Reactome reaction context is a generic kinesin set and does not itself describe a KIF3A-specific process.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-6811426
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol (TAS, Reactome COPI vesicles bind kinesin; generic kinesin set).
Reason: Cytosolic location of kinesin-II is correct; the Reactome reaction context is a generic kinesin set and does not itself describe a KIF3A-specific process.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-983259
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol (TAS, Reactome kinesins move along microtubules).
Reason: Cytosolic location of kinesin-II is correct; the Reactome reaction context is a generic kinesin set and does not itself describe a KIF3A-specific process.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-983266
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol (TAS, Reactome kinesins bind microtubules).
Reason: Cytosolic location of kinesin-II is correct; the Reactome reaction context is a generic kinesin set and does not itself describe a KIF3A-specific process.
GO:0005829 cytosol
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-984733
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol (TAS, Reactome "Kinesin-3 is a dimer"; KIF3A is kinesin-2, likely included through a generic kinesin set).
Reason: Cytosolic location of kinesin-II is correct; the Reactome reaction context is a generic kinesin set and does not itself describe a KIF3A-specific process.
GO:0005856 cytoskeleton
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Cytoskeleton (IEA).
Reason: Correct but general.
GO:0005871 kinesin complex
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Kinesin complex (IBA).
Reason: Correct; the more specific kinesin II complex is also annotated.
GO:0005874 microtubule
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule (IBA).
Reason: Kinesin motors act on microtubules.
GO:0005876 spindle microtubule
IDA
PMID:16298999
Role of the kinesin-2 family protein, KIF3, during mitosis.
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Colocalizes with spindle microtubule (IDA).
Reason: Supported by the cited study; mitotic role is secondary to ciliary and organelle transport.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:16298999
the kinesin-2 complex is localized with components of the mitotic apparatus such as spindle microtubules and centrosomes
IEA
GO_REF:0000120
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium (IEA).
Reason: Kinesin-II is the anterograde IFT motor in cilia.
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium (ISS from mouse).
Reason: Correct.
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5624949
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium (TAS, Reactome anterograde IFT train assembly).
Reason: Correct.
Supporting Evidence:
Reactome:R-HSA-5625416
Anterograde trains travel along the axoneme of the cilium at an estimated rate of 2 micrometers per second in an ATP- and kinesin-2-dependent fashion
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5625416
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium (TAS, Reactome anterograde IFT).
Reason: Correct.
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5625424
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium (TAS, Reactome retrograde train dissociation).
Reason: Correct.
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5625426
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium (TAS, Reactome retrograde IFT).
Reason: Correct location; kinesin-II is returned to the base by retrograde IFT.
GO:0006996 organelle organization
TAS
PMID:1447303
Kinesin family in murine central nervous system.
MODIFY
Summary: Organelle organization (TAS) from the 1992 cloning of murine KIF family members, which concerned microtubule-based transport of membranous organelles in neurons, not organelle organization.
Reason: The paper concerns organelle transport by kinesin motors; microtubule-based movement (GO:0007018) better reflects the asserted role.
Proposed replacements: microtubule-based movement
GO:0007018 microtubule-based movement
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule-based movement (IEA, kinesin domain).
Reason: Correct.
GO:0008017 microtubule binding
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule binding (IBA).
Reason: Kinesin motor domain binds microtubules.
GO:0008017 microtubule binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule binding (IEA).
Reason: Correct.
GO:0008089 anterograde axonal transport
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Anterograde axonal transport (IBA). Kinesin-II transports membranous organelles in neuronal axons.
Reason: Supported by phylogeny and neuronal studies, but secondary to the ciliary role.
GO:0008092 cytoskeletal protein binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000117
MODIFY
Summary: Cytoskeletal protein binding (IEA, ARBA). Too general; the specific activity is microtubule binding.
Reason: Microtubule binding (GO:0008017) is the accurate specific term.
Proposed replacements: microtubule binding
GO:0008104 intracellular protein localization
IEA
GO_REF:0000117
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Intracellular protein localization (IEA, ARBA).
Reason: Kinesin-II delivers proteins (e.g. to cilia, N-cadherin to junctions) but this is a general term; the ciliary protein localization terms are more informative.
GO:0008574 plus-end-directed microtubule motor activity
TAS
PMID:16298999
Role of the kinesin-2 family protein, KIF3, during mitosis.
ACCEPT
Summary: Plus-end-directed microtubule motor activity (TAS). Kinesin-II (KIF3A/KIF3B/KAP3) carries cargo toward microtubule plus ends.
Reason: Core molecular function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:16298999
Kinesin-2 is composed of two microtubule-based motor subunits, KIF3A/3B, and a kinesin-associated protein known as KAP3, which links KIF3A/3B to cargo that is carried to cellular organelles along microtubules in interphase cells
GO:0010457 centriole-centriole cohesion
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Centriole-centriole cohesion (ISS from mouse Kif3a).
Reason: IFT-independent centriolar role supported by mouse cell studies; non-core relative to motor function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:23386061
Consequently, microtubule anchoring, centriole cohesion and basal foot formation are abrogated by loss of Kif3a.
GO:0010970 transport along microtubule
IEA
GO_REF:0000117
ACCEPT
Summary: Transport along microtubule (IEA, ARBA).
Reason: Correct general description of kinesin-II function.
GO:0015031 protein transport
IMP
PMID:24338362
POPX2 phosphatase regulates the KIF3 kinesin motor complex.
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Protein transport (IMP). KIF3A-S690A is defective in trafficking of N-cadherin and other cargo.
Reason: Supported, but general; a non-ciliary transport role.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:24338362
This is consistent with the observation that the KIF3A-S690A mutant is defective in cargo trafficking.
GO:0015630 microtubule cytoskeleton
IDA
PMID:16298999
Role of the kinesin-2 family protein, KIF3, during mitosis.
ACCEPT
Summary: Microtubule cytoskeleton (IDA).
Reason: Correct.
GO:0016887 ATP hydrolysis activity
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: ATP hydrolysis activity (IBA).
Reason: Kinesin motor domains hydrolyse ATP to power movement.
GO:0016939 kinesin II complex
IDA
PMID:16298999
Role of the kinesin-2 family protein, KIF3, during mitosis.
ACCEPT
Summary: Kinesin II complex (IDA).
Reason: Core complex identity.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:16298999
Kinesin-2 is composed of two microtubule-based motor subunits, KIF3A/3B, and a kinesin-associated protein known as KAP3
GO:0016939 kinesin II complex
IEA
GO_REF:0000117
ACCEPT
Summary: Kinesin II complex (IEA).
Reason: Core complex identity.
GO:0019903 protein phosphatase binding
IPI
PMID:24338362
POPX2 phosphatase regulates the KIF3 kinesin motor complex.
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Protein phosphatase binding (IPI) with POPX2/PPM1F, which controls KIF3A Ser690 phosphorylation.
Reason: Regulatory interaction supported by the study; not a core KIF3A activity.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:24338362
POPX2 affects trafficking by determining the phosphorylation status of KIF3A at serine 690.
GO:0030507 spectrin binding
IDA
PMID:23704327
The giant spectrin Ξ²V couples the molecular motors to photot...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Spectrin binding (IDA). Spectrin betaV binds subunits of kinesin II in photoreceptors.
Reason: Supported by the study; a cell-type-specific adaptor interaction, not core.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:23704327
spectrin Ξ²V binds to several subunits of the microtubule-based motor proteins, kinesin II and the dynein complex
GO:0031267 small GTPase binding
IPI
PMID:26021297
The small GTPase Rab29 is a common regulator of immune synap...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Small GTPase binding (IPI) with RAB29 (O14966), from a study of Rab29 in immune synapse assembly and ciliogenesis. The abstract foregrounds Rab29-IFT20 interaction; the curator read the full text.
Reason: Deferring to curator; the interaction is plausible but peripheral to KIF3A's core motor function.
GO:0034454 microtubule anchoring at centrosome
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Microtubule anchoring at centrosome (ISS from mouse Kif3a). Kif3a recruits p150Glued to subdistal appendages, needed for microtubule anchoring.
Reason: IFT-independent centriolar role; supported in mouse cells.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:23386061
Kif3a recruits p150(Glued) to the subdistal appendages of mother centrioles, critical for centrosomes to function as microtubule-organizing centres
GO:0044877 protein-containing complex binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000117
MARK AS OVER ANNOTATED
Summary: Protein-containing complex binding (IEA, ARBA). Vague.
Reason: Uninformative general binding term; kinesin II complex membership and microtubule binding capture the relevant interactions.
GO:0045880 positive regulation of smoothened signaling pathway
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Positive regulation of smoothened signaling pathway (ISS from mouse). Kif3a is required for Hedgehog signalling downstream of Patched1 and for SMO ciliary entry.
Reason: Supported by mouse genetics; a consequence of ciliary transport rather than a regulatory activity.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:14603322
Genetic analysis shows that Wim, Polaris and the IFT motor protein Kif3a are required for Hedgehog signalling at a step downstream of Patched1
GO:0060271 cilium assembly
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium assembly (IBA).
Reason: Core process; kinesin-II is required for cilium formation.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:23386061
Formation of cilia, microtubule-based structures that function in propulsion and sensation, requires Kif3a, a subunit of Kinesin II essential for intraflagellar transport (IFT).
GO:0060271 cilium assembly
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Cilium assembly (ISS from mouse).
Reason: Core process.
GO:0070062 extracellular exosome
HDA
PMID:19056867
Large-scale proteomics and phosphoproteomics of urinary exos...
MARK AS OVER ANNOTATED
Summary: Extracellular exosome (HDA), urinary exosome proteomics.
Reason: Proteomic detection in urinary exosomes does not indicate a functional location for a cytoplasmic motor.
GO:0072383 plus-end-directed vesicle transport along microtubule
TAS
PMID:16298999
Role of the kinesin-2 family protein, KIF3, during mitosis.
ACCEPT
Summary: Plus-end-directed vesicle transport along microtubule (TAS).
Reason: Kinesin-II transports membranous organelles along cytoplasmic microtubules in interphase cells; a genuine second function of the motor alongside IFT.
GO:0097499 protein localization to non-motile cilium
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Protein localization to non-motile cilium (ISS from mouse), e.g. SMO entry into primary cilia.
Reason: Supported by mouse data; kinesin-II delivers proteins into primary cilia.
GO:0097542 ciliary tip
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5624952
ACCEPT
Summary: Ciliary tip (TAS, Reactome).
Reason: Kinesin-II reaches the ciliary tip with anterograde trains.
GO:0097542 ciliary tip
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5625416
ACCEPT
Summary: Ciliary tip (TAS, Reactome anterograde IFT).
Reason: Correct.
GO:0097542 ciliary tip
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5625421
ACCEPT
Summary: Ciliary tip (TAS, Reactome anterograde train dissociation).
Reason: Correct.
GO:0097542 ciliary tip
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5625426
ACCEPT
Summary: Ciliary tip (TAS, Reactome retrograde IFT).
Reason: Correct.
GO:0097730 non-motile cilium
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
ACCEPT
Summary: Non-motile cilium (ISS from mouse).
Reason: Correct.
GO:1902414 protein localization to cell junction
IMP
PMID:24338362
POPX2 phosphatase regulates the KIF3 kinesin motor complex.
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Protein localization to cell junction (IMP). Kinesin-II with KIF3A Ser690 regulation traffics N-cadherin to cell-cell junctions.
Reason: Supported; a non-ciliary transport role.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:24338362
Here we report that the phosphatase POPX2 is a negative regulator of the trafficking of N-cadherin and other cargoes; consequently, it markedly influences cell-cell adhesion.
GO:1904115 axon cytoplasm
IEA
GO_REF:0000108
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Axon cytoplasm (IEA, inferred from anterograde axonal transport).
Reason: Follows from the axonal transport annotation; non-core.
GO:0035720 intraciliary anterograde transport
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5625416
NEW
Summary: KIF3A, as the motor subunit of heterotrimeric kinesin-II, powers anterograde IFT from the ciliary base to the tip. GOA lists cilium assembly and ciliary locations but no IFT process for human KIF3A, although human KIF3B carries intraciliary transport (IMP).
Reason: Participation test passed directly, since KIF3A is the motor that performs the step; comparator check shows the partner motor subunit KIF3B is annotated to intraciliary transport. This is the core process of KIF3A.
Supporting Evidence:
Reactome:R-HSA-5625416
Anterograde trains travel along the axoneme of the cilium at an estimated rate of 2 micrometers per second in an ATP- and kinesin-2-dependent fashion
PMID:23386061
Formation of cilia, microtubule-based structures that function in propulsion and sensation, requires Kif3a, a subunit of Kinesin II essential for intraflagellar transport (IFT).

Core Functions

KIF3A, heterodimerized with KIF3B and bound to KAP3 in kinesin-II, is an ATP-driven plus-end-directed microtubule motor that powers anterograde intraflagellar transport, building primary and motile cilia and delivering signalling proteins such as Smoothened into the cilium.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:16298999
    Kinesin-2 is composed of two microtubule-based motor subunits, KIF3A/3B, and a kinesin-associated protein known as KAP3
  • PMID:23386061
    Formation of cilia, microtubule-based structures that function in propulsion and sensation, requires Kif3a, a subunit of Kinesin II essential for intraflagellar transport (IFT).
  • Reactome:R-HSA-5625416
    Anterograde trains travel along the axoneme of the cilium at an estimated rate of 2 micrometers per second in an ATP- and kinesin-2-dependent fashion

Kinesin-II containing KIF3A also carries membranous organelles and vesicles along cytoplasmic microtubules, e.g. N-cadherin carriers to cell-cell junctions, a process regulated by phosphorylation of KIF3A Ser690 by CaMKII and dephosphorylation by POPX2.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:24338362
    POPX2 affects trafficking by determining the phosphorylation status of KIF3A at serine 690.

References

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)

Suggested Questions for Experts

Q: Which KIF3A-dependent centriolar functions (p150Glued recruitment to subdistal appendages) are conserved in human cells, given they were defined in mouse cells and appear independent of motor activity?

Q: What adaptor links kinesin-II to IFT-B trains in human cells (KAP3 versus direct IFT-B subunit contacts)?

Suggested Experiments

Experiment: Single-molecule imaging of reconstituted human KIF3A/KIF3B/KAP3 with purified IFT-B to define the motor-train coupling interface and its regulation by KIF3A phosphorylation (e.g. by CILK1).

Experiment: Motor-dead KIF3A rescue in KIF3A-knockout human RPE1 cells to separate IFT-dependent ciliogenesis from IFT-independent subdistal appendage organization.

Deep Research

Falcon

(KIF3A-deep-research-falcon.md)

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)

πŸ“š Additional Documentation

Notes

(KIF3A-notes.md)

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)

πŸ“„ View Raw YAML

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)