Loss of C. elegans BBS-7 and BBS-8 protein function results in cilia defects and compromised intraflagellar transport

Genes Dev. 2004 Jul 1;18(13):1630-42. doi: 10.1101/gad.1194004.

Abstract

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a genetically heterogeneous developmental disorder whose molecular basis is largely unknown. Here, we show that mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans bbs-7 and bbs-8 genes cause structural and functional defects in cilia. C. elegans BBS proteins localize predominantly at the base of cilia, and like proteins involved in intraflagellar transport (IFT), a process necessary for cilia biogenesis and maintenance, move bidirectionally along the ciliary axoneme. Importantly, we demonstrate that BBS-7 and BBS-8 are required for the normal localization/motility of the IFT proteins OSM-5/Polaris and CHE-11, and to a notably lesser extent, CHE-2. We propose that BBS proteins play important, selective roles in the assembly and/or function of IFT particle components. Our findings also suggest that some of the cardinal and secondary symptoms of BBS, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, and learning defects may result from cilia dysfunction.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Cilia / pathology*
  • Cilia / ultrastructure
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Flagella / metabolism*
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Bbs7 protein, human
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Proteins
  • che-2 protein, C elegans
  • osm-5 protein, C elegans