Kinesin Family, Member 27 (KIF27)

KIF27 shares 43.6% amino acid identity with KIF7 and 61.6% identity with KIF7 over the kinesin motor domain. KIF27 and KIF7 also share an additional region of high homology, which the authors called the KIF7-KIF27 homologous (KIF727H) domain. EST database analysis showed KIF27 mRNA expression in testis, pancreatic islet, germ cell tumors, and Jurkat T cells. The deduced 1,401-amino acid protein contains N-terminal kinesin motor and Cubitus interruptus-binding domains and a C-terminal Smoothened (SMOH)-binding domain, all in common with the Drosophila Cos2 domain structure. Fu physically interacts with Kif27, a mammalian Cos2 ortholog, and linked Fu to known structural components of the central pair apparatus, providing evidence for the first regulatory component involved in central pair construction.