Recent advances in the molecular pathology, cell biology and genetics of ciliopathies

J Med Genet. 2008 May;45(5):257-67. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2007.054999. Epub 2008 Jan 4.

Abstract

Primary cilia have a broad tissue distribution and are present on most cell types in the human body. Until recently, they were considered to be redundant organelles, but progress over the past 5 years has led to an understanding of their role in normal mammalian development. The class of inherited disorders that involve aberrant ciliary function are known as ciliopathies, and although their range of severity can vary, they share some common and unexpected clinical phenotypes. The aim of this review is to assess recent insights into the structure, function and formation of primary cilia, and relate this to the pathology, molecular genetics and cell biology of the ciliopathies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bardet-Biedl Syndrome / genetics
  • Cilia / metabolism
  • Cilia / physiology*
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics*
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / pathology
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Phenotype
  • Signal Transduction
  • Syndrome