unc-104 encodes a kinesin-like motor protein homologous to human axonal transporter of synaptic vesicles (ATSV, OMIM: 601255); UNC-104 is required for anterograde axonal transport of synaptic vesicles as well as differentiation of pre- and postsynaptic domains at inhibitory neuromuscular junctions; UNC-104 is expressed solely in neurons; UNC-104 retrograde movement is regulated by PTL-1/Tau, with which it physically interacts in vivo.
Enables cytoskeletal protein binding activity; phosphatidylinositol phosphate binding activity; and plus-end-directed microtubule motor activity. Involved in several processes, including chemical synaptic transmission; regulation of cellular component organization; and regulation of cellular localization. Located in axon; presynapse; and somatodendritic compartment. Expressed in epithelial cell; muscle cell; neurons; and somatic nervous system. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including autoimmune disease of the nervous system (multiple); carcinoma (multiple); and neuropathy (multiple). Is an ortholog of human KIF1A (kinesin family member 1A).