KIF15

KIF15 (also known as Kinesin-12 and HKLP2) is a motor protein expressed in all cells during mitosis and in postmitotic neurons undergoing axon growth.^[6] KIF15 maintains bipolar microtubule spindle apparatus in dividing cells and shares redundant functions with KIF11.^[7] KIF15 is thought to promote spindle assembly by cross-linking and sliding along microtubules creating a separation between centrosomes. The microtubule localization of Kif15 is being regulated by Kinesin binding protein (KBP).^[8] HeLa cells depleted of KIF11, with reduced microtubule dynamics, are able to form bipolar spindles from acentrosomal asters in a KIF15 dependent manner.^[9][10] Hence, inhibition of KIF15 function will be a vital therapeutic approach in cancer chemotherapy.^[11] Since KIF11 and KIF15 are functionally redundant, drugs targeting both the proteins will be more potent.^[8]

KIF15 restricts the movement of short microtubules into growing axons by generating forces on microtubules which counteract those generated by cytoplasmic dynein.^[12][13] KIF15, together with KIF23 become enriched in dendrites as neurons mature to promote the transport of minus-end distal microtubules into nascent dendrites.^[12]

KIF15 has been shown to interact with TPX2. Both these dimers cooperate to slide along microtubules and maintain bipolar spindles.^[14][15]