Primary Cilia: Highly Sophisticated Biological Sensors

Authors

Wissam A. AbouAlaiwi, University of ToledoFollow
Shao T. Lo, University of ToledoFollow
Surya M. Nauli, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Abstract

Primary cilia, thin hair-like structures protruding from the apical surface of most mammalian cells, have gained the attention of many researchers over the past decade. Primary cilia are microtubule-filled sensory organelles that are enclosed within the ciliary membrane. They originate at the cell surface from the mother centriole that becomes the mature basal body. In this review, we will discuss recent literatures on the roles of cilia as sophisticated sensory organelles. With particular emphasis on vascular endothelia and renal epithelia, the mechanosensory role of cilia in sensing fluid shear stress will be discussed. Also highlighted is the ciliary involvement in cell cycle regulation, development, cell signaling and cancer. Finally, primary cilia-related disorders will be briefly described.

Comments

This article was originally published in Sensors, volume 9, issue 9, in 2009. DOI: 10.3390/s90907003

Recommended Citation

AbouAlaiwi WA, Lo ST, Nauli SM. Primary cilia: highly sophisticated biological sensors. Sensors 2009; 9(9): 7003-20.
DOI:10.3390/s90907003

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.