Protein transport in growing and steady ‐state cilia

Abstract
Cilia and eukaryotic flagella are threadlike cell extensions with motile and sensory functions. Their assembly requires intraflagellar transport (IFT), a bidirectional motor‐driven transport of protein carriers along the axonemal microtubules. IFT moves ample amounts of structural proteins including tubulin into growing cilia likely explaining its critical role for assembly. IFT continues in non‐growing cilia contributing to a variety of processes ranging from axonemal maintenance and the export of non‐ciliary proteins to cell locomotion and ciliary signaling. Here, we discuss recent data on cues regulating the type, amount, and timing of cargo transported by IFT. A regulation of IFT‐cargo interactions is critical to establish, maintain, and adjust ciliary length, protein composition, and function.

Source: Traffic - February 28, 2017 Category: Research Authors: Karl F. Lechtreck, Julie C. Van De Weghe, J. Aaron Harris, Peiwei Liu Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research