Couples NMDA-sensitive glutamate receptor signaling to the nucleus and triggers long-lasting changes in the cytoarchitecture of dendrites and spine synapse processes. Part of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) shut-off signaling pathway. Stimulates outgrowth of olfactory axons and migration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neuronal cells. Interacts with KPNA1; the interaction occurs in a calcium-independent manner after synaptic NMDA receptor stimulation and is required for nuclear import of NSMF but is competed by CABP1. Interacts (via the central NLS-containing motif region) with CABP1 (via EF-hands 1 and 2); the interaction occurs in a calcium-dependent manner after synaptic NMDA receptor stimulation and prevents the nuclear import of NSMF. Cannot be competed by calmodulin (By similarity). Found on the outside of the luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) cell membrane and axons projecting from the olfactory pit and epithelium. Associates with transcriptionally active chromatin regions. Detected at the nuclear membranes of CA1 neurons. Cortical cytoskeleton. Localized in proximal apical dendrites. Colocalizes with CABP1 in dendrites and dendritic spines. Myristoylation is a prerequisite for extranuclear localization. Translocates from dendrites to the nucleus during NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) induction of synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral/CA1 synapses of hippocampal primary neurons and in an importin-dependent manner (By similarity). Preferentially expressed in immature migratory, in comparison to postmigrating, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal cell lines (at protein level). Expressed in adult brain and liver. In the brain, expressed in the primary pituitary gland, cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb and thalamus. At 14.5 dpc embryo found at high levels within the forebrain, olfactory epithelium and olfactory pit. At 12.5 dpc embryo detected on olfactory axons including olfactory pathway on which the LHRH neurons move. From 11.5 dpc to 17.5 dpc embryos expressed in LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) neurons as they migrate from the olfactory pit into the developing forebrain. Up-regulated by gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Proteolytically processed after NMDA receptor activation. Cleaved in a calcium-dependent and calpain-sensitive manner. Calpain cleavage is essential for the translocation process from dendrites to the nucleus (By similarity). Transport from dendrites to the nucleus is induced by NMDA receptor activation and results in a rapid stripping of synaptic contacts and a reduction of dendritic complexity (By similarity). KIF5C associates to its 3'-UTR mRNA in granules along dendritic shafts, suggesting that this protein may regulate its dendritic trafficking and local translation at postsynaptic sites. Belongs to the NSMF family.