Intraflagellar transport protein 22 homolog (IFT22)

IFT22 is a small protein with GTPase-like structural features, classified as a Rab-like component of the IFT complex B (specifically the IFT-B1 subcomplex), which is essential for the selective bidirectional transport of cargo along the axoneme of cilia and flagella in eukaryotic cells[1][4][5]. IFT22 plays a critical role in assembling these organelles by regulating cargo transport and protein interactions within the IFT complex. Mutations in IFT22 have been linked to ciliopathies such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Meckel syndrome type 2[4]. While IFT22 shares sequence similarity with Rab-family GTPases, it uses an atypical nucleotide-binding mode due to differences in its G motifs[1][5]. Across species, its contribution to cilia formation and cellular signaling brings diversity: in some organisms, its deletion causes dramatic defects in cilia biogenesis, while in others regulatory roles predominat[1]. Currently, IFT22 is not the direct target of approved therapeutic drugs, and no clinical biomarkers or safety issues specific to the protein are reported[4][5].

Other names

IFT22RabL5 (Rab-like protein 5)Intraflagellar transport protein 22 homolog

Not applicable, as there are no drugs that target IFT22.