KIF3A

Kinesin-like protein KIF3A is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the KIF3A is_associated_with::gene.

Function
KIF3A is one subunit of the heterotrimeric motor protein, is_associated_with::kinesin-2, that was initially isolated from sea urchin egg/embryo is_associated_with::cytosol using is_associated_with::microtubule affinity purification. This motor consists of two kinesin-related subunits (called KIF3A and is_associated_with::KIF3B or 3C in vertebrates) and an associated protein (KAP3), and it transports protein complexes, nucleic acids and organelles towards the "plus" ends of microtubule tracks within cells. Work done in a broad range of eukaryotic cells has revealed that heterotrimeric kinesin-2 is the primary motor protein driving the intra-flagellar transport of is_associated_with::tubulins and other axonemal building blocks from the base of the ciliary/flagellar axoneme to their site of assembly at the distal tips. This process is required for cilium assembly/maintenance and is_associated_with::cilium-based signalling which play key roles in various cell and developmental processes. For example, in vertebrate embryos, kinesin-2 function is required for cilia-dependent nodal flow and the development of left-right asymmetry.

Interactions
KIF3A has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::MAP3K10.