Kinesin is an ATP hydrolyzing enzyme that transduces chemical energy of ATP hydrolysis into mechanical force to carry intracellular cargo on microtubule tracks. Why do multiple kinesin motors exist in a given cell type or a tissue, and whether these motors perform distinct or overlapping functions, remains to be understood. In C. elegans a superfamily of 21 kinesin motor proteins has been described that participate in a variety of cellular function such as chromosomal movement, cell and growth cone migration, process outgrowth and axonal guidance (Siddiqui, 2002). Members of the nematode kinesin family represent all major groups of kinesin motors found in the vertebrates. Accordingly, we have determined the temporal and spatial pattern of expression of the nematode kinesin family members by in situ hybridization, or by studying kinesin promoter fusion with GFP or dsRed protein markers in transgenic animals. Our results suggest that members of the kinesin family (
klp-1-
klp-20) have distinct role in mitosis, chromosomal dynamics and are essential for neural development and function.