Gli2 and Gli3 Localize to Cilia and Require the Intraflagellar Transport Protein Polaris for Processing and Function

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins are essential for cilia assembly and have recently been associated with a number of developmental processes, such as left-right axis specification and limb and neural tube patterning. Genetic studies indicate that IFT proteins are required for Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling downstream of the Smoothened and Patched membrane proteins but upstream of the Glioma (Gli) transcription factors. However, the role that IFT proteins play in transduction of Shh signaling and the importance of cilia in this process remain unknown. Here we provide insights into the mechanism by which defects in an IFT protein, Tg737/Polaris, affect Shh signaling in the murine limb bud. Our data show…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: AC05-00OR22725, DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle, DE-AC05, 00OR22725
• MO
  March of Dimes Foundation
• B
  Battelle

  Awards: DE-AC05, DE-AC05-00OR22725
• UO
  University of Alabama at Birmingham
• UO
  University of Alabama
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: DK07545, DE-AC05-00OR22725
• BA
  Biological and Environmental Research

  Awards: DE-AC05-00OR22725, 00OR22725