Intraflagellar transport protein 172 (IFT172)

IFT172 is a large membrane-associated protein (~200 kDa) essential for the formation and maintenance of primary cilia, functioning as a key component of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) particle complex (specifically, the IFT-B subcomplex)[1][2][3][4]. It has a distinctive structure with WD40 repeats and degenerate WAA repeats that facilitate transient protein interactions and membrane remodeling[1][2][4]. IFT172’s conformational flexibility allows it to interact with ciliary membranes and form vesicles, acting as a modulatory cargo adapter within IFT complexes[1][2][4]. Its roles include mediating the bidirectional transport of proteins within cilia—critical for ciliogenesis—and assisting in the transition between anterograde and retrograde transport at the ciliary tip[1][2][3][4]. Dysfunction and mutations of IFT172 are linked to multiple ciliopathies, a group of genetic disorders characterized by abnormal cilia structure and function, resulting in complex clinical phenotypes ranging from kidney disease and obesity to intellectual disability and retinal degeneration[1][2].

Other names

Selective LIM domain binding protein (SLB)IFT172 proteinCiliopathy protein 172 (contextual, less common)

Not applicable; as no drugs directly target IFT172, no mechanisms of action are described