A high-throughput genome-wide siRNA screen for ciliogenesis identifies new ciliary functional components and ciliopathy genes.

Defects in primary cilium biogenesis underlie the ciliopathies, a growing group of genetic disorders. We describe the first whole genome siRNA-based reverse genetics screen for defects in biogenesis and/or maintenance of the primary cilium, obtaining a global resource for investigation and interventions into the processes that are critical for the ciliary system. In total, we identified 83 candidate ciliogenesis and ciliopathy genes, including 15 components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The validated hits also include 12 encoding G-protein-coupled receptors, and three encoding pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPF6, PRPF8 and PRPF31) mutated in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Com…