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Paramecium BBS genes are key to presence of channels in Cilia
Valentine MS, Rajendran A, Yano J, Weeraratne SD, Beisson J, Chone J, Kool France and Van Houten J. “Paramecium BBS genes are key to presence of channels in Cilia.” Cilia 2012 September 3, 1:16. Pages 1-16.
Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) proteins are vital for the formation of the primary cilia in cells. Primary cilia are protrusions from cells that are extremely important in humans. In Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, these primary cilia are not constructed correctly and therefore those affected cannot have proper organ formation and have many problems with a variety of their organs throughout their life. However, not much is known about the role of BBS proteins in the cilia formation of Parmaecium tetraurelia, a single-celled organism covered with thousands of cilia. By knowing the function of the BBS proteins in this organism, it could provide further insight into the function of them in humans. The control of vital functions in Paramecium is known to occur through the activity of different ion channels and receptors that are in the cilia. However, how BBS genes work with these specific channels is unknown.
This study is showing the affects BBS genes have in the formation of cilia of Paramecium. Specifically, it identifies BBS7, 8, and 9 as having a critical role in the distribution of necessary ion channels in cilia which are important for the movement of the organism and its sensing of the outside environment. Defects in these proteins can cause the organism to have odd movement patterns and to be unable the sense environmental conditions such as light and heat. This organism can be used to look at the affects of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome.
Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) proteins are vital for the formation of the primary cilia in cells. Primary cilia are protrusions from cells that are extremely important in humans. In Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, these primary cilia are not constructed correctly and therefore those affected cannot have proper organ formation and have many problems with a variety of their organs throughout their life. However, not much is known about the role of BBS proteins in the cilia formation of Parmaecium tetraurelia, a single-celled organism covered with thousands of cilia. By knowing the function of the BBS proteins in this organism, it could provide further insight into the function of them in humans. The control of vital functions in Paramecium is known to occur through the activity of different ion channels and receptors that are in the cilia. However, how BBS genes work with these specific channels is unknown.
This study is showing the affects BBS genes have in the formation of cilia of Paramecium. Specifically, it identifies BBS7, 8, and 9 as having a critical role in the distribution of necessary ion channels in cilia which are important for the movement of the organism and its sensing of the outside environment. Defects in these proteins can cause the organism to have odd movement patterns and to be unable the sense environmental conditions such as light and heat. This organism can be used to look at the affects of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome.
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References:
[Banner Photo]"NDM-1" NDM-1. Retrieved 12 March 2013 from http://www.personal.psu.edu/czc5161/blogs/testing/references.html.
[Banner Photo]"NDM-1" NDM-1. Retrieved 12 March 2013 from http://www.personal.psu.edu/czc5161/blogs/testing/references.html.