Constructing and deconstructing roles for the primary cilium in tissue architecture and cancer.
Primary cilia are exquisitely designed sensory machines that have evolved at least three distinct sensory modalities to monitor the extracellular environment. The presence and activation of growth factor, morphogen, and hormone receptors within the confines of the ciliary membrane, the intrinsic physical relationship between the ciliary axoneme and the centriole, and the preferential assembly of primary cilia on the apical surfaces of tissue epithelia highlight the importance of this organelle in the establishment and maintenance of tissue architecture and homeostasis. Accordingly, recent studies begin to suggest roles for these organelles in oncogenesis and tumor suppression. Here, we review the sensory properties of primary cilia, assess the "history" of the primary cilium in cancer, and draw upon recent findings in a discussion of how the primary cilium may influence tissue architecture and neoplasia.
Seeley
E Scott
ES
Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Nachury
Maxence V
MV
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D002923:Cilia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D051153:Wnt Proteins