Kinesin Family, Member C1 (KIFC1)

By screening a human testis library with a cDNA corresponding to Tctex7, the mouse homolog of HSET, Ando et al. (1994) isolated human HSET cDNAs. Northern blot analysis revealed that the 2.4-kb HSET mRNA is expressed in several human cell lines. The C-terminal 350 amino acids of the predicted HSET protein share extensive homology with the ATP-binding and motor domains of kinesin heavy chain and the kinesin-related proteins CENPE and MKLP1. Although the mechanochemical domain of kinesin and kinesin-like proteins is generally located within the N-terminal region, HSET contains a C-terminal mechanochemical domain. This 'reversed' structural organization is also found in the S. cerevisiae KAR3 and Drosophila Ncd kinesin-like proteins.