BACKGROUND Centrosome amplification is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1), a centrosome-clustering molecule, is essential for the viability of extra centrosome-bearing cancer cells and may be the basis for the progression of ovarian cancer. However, its biological function and mechanism in ovarian cancer have not yet been studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the levels of KIFC1 and centrosome protein E (CENPE). Further, cell viability was analyzed with CCK-8 assay, and immunofluorescence was used to measure the expression of Ki67 and PCNA. Cell migration was analyzed with wound healing and transwell assays. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the expression of proteins in ovarian cancer cells. The relationship between KIFC1 and CENPE was investigated by performing co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS KIFC1 was upregulated in ovarian cancer cells, especially in SKOV3 cells. Additionally, we found that KIFC1 silencing in SKOV3 cells inhibited cell proliferation and downregulated the expression of Ki67 and PCNA. Further, the knockdown of KIFC1 suppressed cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP9, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, and ZEB1. Next, we found that KIFC1 bound to and positively regulated CENPE, a tumor promoter in certain human cancers. All the suppressive effects triggered by KIFC1 inhibition were reversed by CENPE overexpression. CONCLUSIONS KIFC1 contributed to cell proliferation, migration, and EMT via interacting with CENPE in ovarian cancer. KIFC1 might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer patients.