Kinesins in Health and Disease: Emerging Roles in Neurodegeneration and Cancer

Kinesin proteins are ATP-dependent motor proteins that drive intracellular transport, mitotic spindle formation, and organelle positioning along microtubules. Kinesins are essential for cellular organization, particularly in neurons, as they transport critical cargo such as vesicles and mitochondria. Dysfunction of kinesins is increasingly linked to diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. In neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), mutations in kinesins (e.g., KIF5A, KIF1A, KIF1B) impair axonal transport and mitochondrial function, contributing to neuronal loss. While, in cancers, overexpression of mitotic kinesins such as KIF11, KIF15, and KIF20A promotes unchecked proliferation and genomic instability. These proteins are now being investigated as therapeutic targets, with several inhibitors under development. This review summarizes kinesin structure and function, their roles in disease pathogenesis, and current therapeutic strategies. It also explores the potential of kinesins as diagnostic biomarkers and highlights ongoing challenges, including the need for better in vivo models and interdisciplinary approaches. Overall, kinesins represent a critical molecular link between neurodegeneration and cancer, offering opportunities for dual-disease targeting.