Kinesin 5B: Proteins and Enzymes

KIF5B is a kinesin. These are microtubule based motor proteins involved in the transport of organelles in eukaryotic cells. They typically consist of 2 identical, approximately 110 to 120 kD heavy chains and 2 identical, approximately 60 to 70 kD light chains. The heavy chain contains 3 domains: a globular N terminal motor domain, which converts the chemical energy of ATP into a motile force along microtubules in 1 fixed direction; a central alpha helical rod domain, which enables the 2 heavy chains to dimerize; and a globular C terminal domain, which interacts with light chains and possibly an organelle receptor.