KIF20A
KIF20A (kinesin family member 20A, also known as MKLP2 and RAB6KIFL) is a mitotic kinesin that drives chromosome passenger complex-mediated cytokinesis. It also binds GTP-bound RAB6 and is proposed to act as a motor for Golgi membrane transport along microtubules. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KIF20A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
KIF20A is a mitotic kinesin required for cytokinesis mediated by the chromosome passenger complex (CPC). After phosphorylation by PLK1, it is involved in recruiting PLK1 to the central spindle. The protein shows microtubule plus end-directed motility, consistent with its role as a motor protein. NCBI Gene summarises its involvement in microtubule bundle formation, midbody abscission and the regulation of cytokinesis, and places it at the midbody and the mitotic spindle. It is also annotated as enabling protein kinase binding.
Beyond mitosis, KIF20A interacts with the guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound forms of RAB6A and RAB6B. It may act as a motor for the retrograde, RAB6-regulated transport of Golgi membranes and associated vesicles along microtubules. This is consistent with the Golgi apparatus and the spindle cytoskeleton being its annotated subcellular locations. Researchers studying the KIF20A protein therefore encounter it in both cell division and membrane trafficking.
The KIF20A gene belongs to the kinesin group of genes, and the protein is a member of the kinesin family within the TRAFAC class myosin-kinesin ATPase superfamily. The mouse ortholog is Kif20a. Its alias MKLP2 reflects its relationship to the mitotic kinesin-like protein group, while the earlier name RAB6 interacting, kinesin-like (rabkinesin6), and the symbol RAB6KIFL, record its association with RAB6. KIF20A has also been implicated in familial restrictive cardiomyopathy 6.
KIF20A is required for CPC-mediated cytokinesis and is involved in midbody abscission, making it a key protein for studying the final stage of cell division.
KIF20A localises to the mitotic spindle, contributes to microtubule bundle formation and helps recruit PLK1 to the central spindle after PLK1 phosphorylation.
By binding GTP-bound RAB6A and RAB6B, KIF20A may power retrograde transport of Golgi membranes and vesicles along microtubules.
KIF20A is implicated in familial restrictive cardiomyopathy 6, linking this mitotic kinesin to inherited heart disease research.
KIF20A is a mitotic kinesin needed for chromosome passenger complex-mediated cytokinesis. After PLK1 phosphorylation it helps recruit PLK1 to the central spindle. It moves towards microtubule plus ends and may also transport RAB6-regulated Golgi membranes and vesicles along microtubules.
KIF20A is also known as MKLP2 and RAB6KIFL. Its previous HGNC name was RAB6 interacting, kinesin-like (rabkinesin6), and the current name is kinesin family member 20A. UniProt lists the protein as Kinesin-like protein KIF20A.
A mouse ortholog, Kif20a, is recorded for the human gene. KIF20A is implicated in familial restrictive cardiomyopathy 6 according to NCBI Gene. For any product, check the datasheet for its validated reactivity.
Other kinesin family members, including mitotic and transport kinesins, with research reagents at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O95235; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.