Research progress of kinesin family in neurological diseases

Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) constitute a pivotal class of molecular motors that facilitate the intracellular transport of cellular “cargo.” Their principal functions encompass the participation of the transport of cellular substances along microtubules, as well as the engagement in the formation of the mitotic spindle and the segregation of chromosomes during cellular mitosis. Dysregulation of KIFs expression can precipitate anomalies in intracellular material transport, mitotic abnormalities, aberrant cell proliferation and migration, and genomic instability within cells. Moreover, members of the KIFs are implicated in the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and the migration of neurons, which are critical processes in the development of the central nervous system. To date, an extensive body of research has substantiated the close correlation between mutations or aberrant expression of KIFs and the onset of neurological disorders, including neurotumors, neurodegenerative disease, and psychiatric illnesses. This review will synthesize recent research elucidating the nexus between KIFs and neurodevelopment, as well as their association with neurological diseases.