Intraflagellar transport protein 25 homolog (IFT25)

Intraflagellar transport protein 25 homolog (IFT25) is a conserved protein subunit of the IFT-B complex, which is essential for the assembly and maintenance of eukaryotic cilia[1][4][5][6]. IFT25 features a jelly-roll fold and possesses a calcium-binding site, but despite early classification as a small heat shock protein, it does not share the classic sHSP alpha-crystallin fold and does not form oligomers typical of that family[1]. Instead, IFT25 specifically interacts with IFT27, another IFT-B complex protein, forming a stable heterodimeric subcomplex that likely mediates further interactions within the IFT machinery[1]. While IFT25 is evolutionarily related to certain bacterial domains, its function is specialized in the assembly and transport processes required for cilia formation and function across eukaryotes[1][5]. It may also be involved in calcium signaling within cilia and has predicted roles in kidney development, the smoothened signaling pathway, and spermatogenesis[2]. There are no known drugs targeting IFT25, and it is not considered a therapeutic target or druggable protein based on current knowledge. Defects or deficiencies in IFT25 would be predicted to impact ciliary assembly and function, with possible implications for ciliopathies, but no specific disease linkage or biomarker/safety data is currently established in the reviewed sources.

Other names

C1orf41HSPB11HSPC034Hspb11PP25HSPCO34FAP232CFAP232Heat shock protein beta-11Heat shock protein family B member 11Placental protein 25