Hot and Splicey: Kinesin Isoforms Seek Attention

Kinesins family members (KIFs) are encoded in mammals by approximately 45 genes, which are grouped into 14 families based on structural and functional features. As cells increased in complexity, so too did the demand for specialized kinesin-mediated processes, including intracellular transport, cytoskeletal organization, and cell division. One mechanism driving this diversity is alternative splicing, which can generate multiple protein isoforms with distinct properties. Here, we highlight examples of KIF isoforms that differ in cargo binding and biophysical motor behavior, as well as their roles in cell cycle regulation, development, and cancer. Moreover, using the HUGO and UniProt databases, we select a few KIF isoforms and propose functional implications based on sequence alterations from that of the canonical transcript and protein. Given that isoform-specific functional differences may have important consequences, we emphasize the need for future studies to investigate kinesin isoforms to better understand their roles in cellular processes and disease.