The Mechanism of Intracellular Transport and Kinesin Motors, KIFs : Structure, Function, Dynamics and Regulation

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Intracellular transport is fundamental for cellular functions in cells in general. We studied this mechanism focusing on the kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs). The primary structures of 13 new KIFs were solved. Using molecular cell biology and molecular genetics we revealed that KIF4 is a key molecule determining activity dependent survival or death of juvenile neurons, that KIF26A is fundamental for development of enteric nervous system by acting as a suppressor for GDNF/Ret signaling, and that KIF17 plays a significant role by not only transporting NDMA receptors, but also controlling transcription and translation of NR2B and KIF17 through CREB phosphorylation and ubiquitin-proteasome dependent degradation of NR2A. We solved atomic structures during Mg^<++> and water release from Mg^<++>ADP so that we solved almost all states during ATP hydrolysis which gives us strong bases to understand how KIFs move along microtubules.