IFT88 maintains sensory function by localising signalling proteins along cilia.

Ciliary defects cause several ciliopathies, some of which have late onset, suggesting cilia are actively maintained. Still, we have a poor understanding of the mechanisms underlying their maintenance. Here, we show r IFT88 (IFT88/nompB) continues to move along fully formed sensory cilia.

A gene expression atlas of embryonic neurogenesis in reveals complex spatiotemporal regulation of lncRNAs.

Cell type specification during early nervous system development in requires precise regulation of gene expression in time and space. Resolving the programs driving neurogenesis has been a major challenge owing to the complexity and rapidity with which distinct cell populations arise. To resolve the cell type-specific gene expression dynamics in early nervous system development, we have sequenced the transcriptomes of purified neurogenic cell types across consecutive time points covering crucial events in neurogenesis.

Differential regulation of transition zone and centriole proteins contributes to ciliary base diversity.

Cilia are evolutionarily conserved structures with many sensory and motility-related functions. The ciliary base, composed of the basal body and the transition zone, is critical for cilia assembly and function, but its contribution to cilia diversity remains unknown. Hence, we generated a high-resolution structural and biochemical atlas of the ciliary base of four functionally distinct neuronal and sperm cilia types within an organism, Drosophila melanogaster.

Maintaining centrosomes and cilia.

Centrosomes and cilia are present in organisms from all branches of the eukaryotic tree of life. These structures are composed of microtubules and various other proteins, and are required for a plethora of cell processes such as structuring the cytoskeleton, sensing the environment, and motility. Deregulation of centrosome and cilium components leads to a wide range of diseases, some of which are incompatible with life.

Methods to Study Centrosomes and Cilia in Drosophila.

Centrioles and cilia are highly conserved eukaryotic organelles. Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful genetic and cell biology model organism, extensively used to discover underlying mechanisms of centrosome and cilia biogenesis and function. Defects in centrosomes and cilia reduce fertility and affect different sensory functions, such as proprioception, olfaction, and hearing.