KIF2C
KIF2C (kinesin family member 2C), also known as MCAK, CT139 and KNSL6, is a kinesin-like, microtubule-dependent molecular motor. It depolymerises microtubules at the plus end and so promotes chromosome segregation during mitosis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KIF2C research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
KIF2C is a microtubule-dependent molecular motor that can depolymerise microtubules at their plus end. In complex with KIF18B, it constitutes the major microtubule plus-end depolymerising activity in mitotic cells. By regulating microtubule turnover at the kinetochore, KIF2C functions in chromosome segregation during mitosis.
The protein also plays a role in chromosome congression and is required for the lateral to end-on conversion of the chromosome-microtubule attachment. This step ensures that chromosomes are correctly attached to spindle microtubules before they are segregated. UniProt reports the protein in the cytoplasm and cytoskeleton, the nucleus, and at the centromere and kinetochore of chromosomes.
The KIF2C gene encodes a kinesin-like protein that belongs to the myosin-kinesin ATPase superfamily (TRAFAC class), within the kinesin family and the MCAK/KIF2 subfamily. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. HGNC places the gene in the kinesins group, and also in the group of small nucleolar RNA protein coding host genes. The symbol MCAK comes from the previous gene name, kinesin-like 6 (mitotic centromere-associated kinesin), and KNSL6 and CT139 are further aliases. Mouse and rat both have a Kif2c ortholog.
KIF2C regulates microtubule turnover at the kinetochore, making it a useful focus for studying how mitotic cells segregate chromosomes.
As a plus-end depolymerising motor, KIF2C is studied for how microtubule length and turnover are controlled in mitotic cells.
KIF2C is required for converting lateral chromosome-microtubule attachments to end-on attachments, a key step in chromosome alignment.
KIF2C is the MCAK/KIF2 subfamily member that, with KIF18B, provides the main plus-end depolymerising activity, allowing comparison across kinesins.
KIF2C is a kinesin-like motor that depolymerises microtubules at the plus end. With KIF18B it forms the major plus-end depolymerising activity in mitotic cells, regulates microtubule turnover at the kinetochore, and supports chromosome congression and segregation during mitosis.
MCAK stands for mitotic centromere-associated kinesin. The previous HGNC name was kinesin-like 6 (mitotic centromere-associated kinesin), which is why the gene has also been called KNSL6. CT139 is another alias. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants.
Yes. Mouse and rat each have a Kif2c ortholog of the human gene. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other kinesin family members and mitotic motor proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q99661; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.