KLC3

This gene encodes a member of the kinesin light chain gene family. Kinesins are molecular motors involved in the transport of cargo along microtubules, and are composed of two kinesin heavy chain (KHC) and two kinesin light chain (KLC) molecules. KLCs are thought to typically be involved in binding cargo and regulating kinesin activity. In the rat, a protein similar to this gene product is expressed in post-meiotic spermatids, where it associates with structural components of sperm tails and mitochondria.

Full Name

Kinesin Light Chain 3

Function

Kinesin is a microtubule-associated force-producing protein that may play a role in organelle transport. Plays a role during spermiogenesis in the development of the sperm tail midpiece and in the normal function of spermatozoa (By similarity).
May play a role in the formation of the mitochondrial sheath formation in the developing spermatid midpiece (By similarity).

Biological Process

Axo-dendritic transportIEA:Ensembl
Sperm mitochondrial sheath assemblyISS:UniProtKB
Spermatid developmentISS:UniProtKB
SpermatogenesisISS:UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton; Mitochondrion. In elongating spermatid tail midpiece, localized in outer dense fibers (ODFs) and associates with mitochondria. Also localizes to the manchette in elongating spermatids.