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 (1,2). Kinesins also play crucial roles in cell division, intracellular transport and membrane trafficking events including endocytosis and transcytosis (2,3). KIF 17 is a neuronal-specific kinesin that transports vesicles containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2B along microtubules.