Centrosomal Protein 164kDa (CEP164)

Cep164, a novel centriole appendage protein required for primary cilium formation. Primary cilia (PC) function as microtubule-based sensory antennae projecting from the surface of many eukaryotic cells. They play important roles in mechano- and chemosensory perception and their dysfunction is implicated in developmental disorders and severe diseases. Cep164, was indispensable for PC formation and hence characterized in detail. Cep164 could be localized to the distal appendages of mature centrioles. In contrast to ninein and Cep170, two components of subdistal appendages, Cep164 persisted at centrioles throughout mitosis. The localizations of Cep164 and ninein/Cep170 were mutually independent during interphase.