Freeing the brake: Proliferation needs primary cilium to disassemble

ABSTRACT

Primary cilia are non-motile, microtubule-based, antennae-like organelle that protrude out from the cell surfaceand perform sensory function or transduce physiological signals in majority of the vertebrate cells. Cilia areassembled on basal bodies that are transformed centrioles. The assembly-disassembly of primary cilia maypose an additional measure on regulating cell cycle in vertebrate cells. While primary cilia are commonly foundin differentiated or quiescent cells that are not cycling, disassembly of primary cilia may promote re-entry ofthese cells into the mitotic cycle, and support proliferation. Many cancer tissues or cancer-derived cells exhibitloss of primary cilia. However, primary cilia may also promote tumorigenesis in some contexts throughgrowth-promoting signalling. This review will shed light on recent advancements of temporal coordination ofciliary disassembly and cell cycle progression, with a focus on how cilia loss may support tumorigenesis invarious epithelial cancers