Lateralization defects and ciliary dyskinesia: lessons from algae.
Flagella and cilia are two very similar organelles that "beat" to move cells and to propel fluid over tissues. They are highly conserved, being found in organisms ranging from prokaryotes to plant and animal eukaryotes. In humans, cilia are present in almost every organ, and several human conditions involve dysfunctional cilia; for example, lateralization defects, where the positions of organs are reversed, and primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare condition where patients suffer from recurrent respiratory infections. In this article, we will discuss how information gained from studies on algae has aided research into these human diseases. These studies found a variety of functions that was previously unsuspected, renewing interest in cilia.
El Zein
Loubna
L
Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Humaine, Faculté de Médecine Pharmacie, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 8, France.
Omran
Heymut
H
Bouvagnet
Patrice
P
D000818:Animals; D002696:Chlamydomonas / Q000235:genetics; D002923:Cilia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002925:Ciliary Motility Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004398:Dyneins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007619:Kartagener Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D011859:Radiography; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012857:Situs Inversus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
D004398:Dyneins