Axonemal microtubule dynamics in the assembly and disassembly of cilia

Abstract

Cilia and eukaryotic flagella (exchangeable terms) function in cell motility and signaling, which are pivotal for development and physiology. Cilia dysfunction can lead to ciliopathies. Cilia are usually assembled in quiescent and/or differentiated cells and undergo disassembly when cells enter cell cycle or in response to environmental stresses. Cilia contain a microtubule-based structure termed axoneme that comprises nine outer doublet microtubules with or without a pair of central microtubules, which is ensheathed by the ciliary membrane. Regulation of the axonemal microtubule dynamics is tightly associated with ciliary assembly and disassembly. In this short review, we discuss recent findings on the regulation of axonemal microtubules by microtubule-binding proteins and microtubule modulating kinesins during ciliary assembly and disassembly.