The kinesins constitute a large family of microtubule-dependent motor proteins, which are responsible for the distribution of numerous organelles, vesicles and macromolecular complexes throughout the cell (1-3). Individual kinesin members play crucial roles in cell division, intracellular transport and membrane trafficking events including endocytosis and transcytosis (3,4). Members of the heterotrimeric kinesin II family of microtubule associated motors generally contain two different motor subunits from the KIF3 family, which includes KIF3A, B and C (5). KIF3 isoforms mediate anterograde transport of membrane bound organelles in neurons and melanosomes, transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi, and transport of protein complexes within cilia and flagella required for their morphogenesis (6). The human KIF3C gene maps to chromosome 2p23 and encodes a 793 amino acid protein that is highly expressed in neural tissues such as brain, spinal cord and retina (7,8). The selective expression of KIF3C protein in the nervous system during embryonic development and its upregulation during neuroblastoma differentiation suggests a role for this motor during maturation of neuronal cells (9).