Intraflagellar transport protein 81 homolog (IFT81)

Intraflagellar transport protein 81 homolog (IFT81) is a core component of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) complex B, vital for the formation, maintenance, and function of cilia in eukaryotic cells[1][3][4][5]. Together with IFT74, IFT81 forms a tubulin-binding module responsible for the transport of tubulin and other cargo along the axoneme of cilia, facilitating ciliogenesis[1][3][6]. IFT81 binds tubulin via its N-terminal calponin homology (CH)-like domain and interacts with coiled-coil partner IFT74 to orchestrate the assembly and dynamics of the IFT complex within cilia[1][6]. It also participates in the regulation of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling and is necessary for the proper formation of sperm flagella[1]. Mutations in IFT81 are associated with several ciliopathies, most notably short-rib thoracic dysplasia 19 (with or without polydactyly), a severe skeletal disorder characterized by short ribs, narrow thorax, and abnormal limb development[1]. IFT81 functions as a structural and functional scaffold within the IFT-B complex, recruiting and stabilizing other IFT subunits and serving as a molecular interface for the delivery of structural and signaling cargos into the cilia[5]. It does not serve as a traditional drug target such as a receptor or enzyme, and as of now, no approved drugs are documented to specifically target IFT81.

Other names

CDV1CDV-1CDV-1RMGC4027Carnitine deficiency-associated protein expressed in ventricle 1SRTD19DV1CDV1R