KIF18A

KIF18A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIF18A gene. This protein is a member of the kinesin superfamily, a diverse group of microtubule-based motor proteins that play important roles in intracellular transport and cell division. Specifically, KIF18A is involved in the regulation of mitosis, the process by which a cell divides to produce two daughter cells with identical genetic material.

KIF18A functions to regulate the dynamics of microtubules at the plus ends, contributing to the proper alignment and separation of chromosomes during cell division. By controlling the length of microtubules, KIF18A plays a critical role in ensuring accurate chromosome segregation, a key step in mitosis that prevents genetic disorders resulting from the unequal distribution of chromosomes.

The activity and regulation of KIF18A are complex and involve various post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation. These modifications can affect the motor activity of KIF18A, its interaction with microtubules, and its role in the mitotic process. Research has shown that dysregulation of KIF18A expression or function can lead to aneuploidy, a condition characterized by an abnormal number of chromosomes, which is associated with various cancers and genetic diseases.

Given its critical role in mitosis and potential involvement in disease, KIF18A is a subject of interest for cancer research and drug development. Inhibitors targeting KIF18A's motor activity are being explored as potential anticancer drugs, with the aim of disrupting the mitotic process in cancer cells, leading to their death.