Kinesin Family Member 6

Alternative Names

  • KIF6
  • C6orf102
  • Chromosome 6 Open Reading Frame 102
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OMIM Number

613919

Gene Map Locus
6p21.2

Description

Kinesin Family Member 6 (KIF6) is a protein coding gene involved in several pathways, including intracellular microtubule transportation in association with caveolae, platelets activation, and Golgi to ER retrograde transport.  The gene codes for an intracellular motor protein involved in the active transportation of cellular cargos along microtubules.

Several large studies have shown an association between a common SNP in the KIF6 gene and susceptibility to Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).  The presence of this polymorphism, Trp719Arg, has been shown to increase risk to CHD in various ethnic groups worldwide.  However, the exact role of KIF6 in the pathogenesis of CHD is not very clear.  In addition, SNPs in KIF6 have also been shown to be involved in differential response to statin therapy for patients with CHD.  

Molecular Genetics

The KIF6 gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 6 and spans about 390 kb with its 23 exons and 22 introns.  The encoded protein has a deduced molecular mass of 92 kDa and is made up of 814 amino acid residues.  The KIF6 protein is a molecular motor that belongs to the kinesin 9 superfamily. 

The gene is expressed in many tissues and cell types, including coronary arteries and vascular cells.  

Epidemiology in the Arab World

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Other Reports

Saudi Arabia

Vatte et al., (2016) performed a case-control study consists of 1002 angiographically defined CAD patients from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and 984 controls who are CAD-free based on echocardiogram and negative family history. The aim was to understand whether the KIF6 719Arg allele is associated with CAD and non-fatal MI in the studied group of patients. Samples were collected and genotyping was done using TaqMan assay. The authors found a lack of association between KIF6 Trp719Arg SNP and CAD (OR 0.976 95% CI 0.86-1.11; P=.704). Patients with CAD were stratified into two groups; one with MI and the other group had not experienced MI and both groups were lacking the KIF6 Trp719Arg SNP association. The authors concluded that carriers of the KIF6 719Arg allele do not have an increased risk of CAD and non-fatal MI among patients from Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This finding is in line with previous studies conducted worldwide. They also suggested expanding the study to include other regions of Saudi Arabia.

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