Jie Ran, Guizhi Guo, Sai Zhang, Yufei Zhang, Liang Zhang, Dengwen Li, Shian Wu, Yusheng Cong, Xiaohong Wang, Songbo Xie, Huijie Zhao, Hongbin Liu, Guangshuo Ou, Xueliang Zhu, Jun Zhou, Min Liu
The photoreceptor cilium is vital for maintaining the structure and function of the retina. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the photoreceptor cilium integrity and retinal homeostasis are largely unknown. Herein, it is shown that kinesin family member 11 (KIF11) localizes at the transition zone (connecting cilium) of the photoreceptor and plays a crucial role in orchestrating the cilium integrity. KIF11 depletion causes malformations of both the photoreceptor ciliary axoneme and membranous discs, resulting in photoreceptor degeneration and the accumulation of drusen-like deposits throughout the retina...
April 26, 2024: Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)