Kinesin Family, Member 3B (KIF3B)

KIF3B acts as a heterodimer with kinesin family member 3A to aid in chromosome movement during mitosis and meiosis. The encoded protein is a plus end-directed microtubule motor and can interact with the SMC3 subunit of the cohesin complex. In addition, the encoded protein may be involved in the intracellular movement of membranous organelles. This protein and kinesin family member 3A form the kinesin II subfamily of the kinesin superfamily. The human KIF3B gene encodes a 747-amino acid protein that shares 98% identity with the mouse Kif3b protein. the KIF3B gene was ubiquitously expressed in all human tissues tested. KIF3B is essential for the left-right determination through intraciliary transportation of materials for ciliogenesis of motile primary cilia that could produce a gradient of putative morphogen along the left-right axis in the node.