Background KIF17 is a member of the kinesin-2 family proteins, which transports many large cargos along microtubule from negative to positive. Objective This review summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanism how to transport N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor. Content The transport mechanism of KIF17 has been studied widely in nerve cells. The critical role of KIF17 is to transport NR2B receptor, which involved in the formation of synaptic plasticity. KIF17 is linked to NR2B-containing vesicles via a scaffolding protein complex Mint10 by carbon-terminal domain. When arrives at the destination, CaMKⅡ-dependent phosphorylation of KIF17 on Ser1029 disrupts the KIF17-Mint1 association and results in the release of the transported cargo NR2B. Additionally, KIF17 stabilize microtubules, contribute to epithelial morphogenesis and transport many cargos such as Spatial protein. Trend The fully understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of KIF and NR2B in the formation of pain may provide new prevention and treatment of pain.