KIF5C encodes Kinesin heavy chain isoform 5C, a member of the Kinesin-1 family of microtubule-based motor proteins. The KIF5C heavy chain N-terminal motor globule subunit associates with another N-terminal heavy chain and two C-terminal light chains to form the complete functioning kinesin tetramer. Kinesins are involved in transporting organelles in eukaryotic cells; KIF5C in particular is involved in transporting granules containing RNA as well as RNA-specific and translation specific proteins bi-directionally on dendrites.
Defective KIF5C is associated with Cortical Dysplasia, Complex, with other Brain Malformations 2 (CDCBM2), a congenital disorder of the nervous system caused by disrupted axonal guidance and uncontrolled neuronal migration.