Regulation of ciliary motility: Conserved protein kinases and phosphatases are targeted and anchored in the ciliary axoneme

Recent evidence has revealed that the dynein motors and highly conserved signaling proteins are localized within the ciliary 9 + 2 axoneme. One key mechanism for regulation of motility is phosphorylation. Here, we review diverse evidence, from multiple experimental organisms, that ciliary motility is regulated by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the dynein arms through kinases and phosphatases that are anchored immediately adjacent to their axonemal substrates.

► Review of regulation of ciliary and flagellar motility by phosphorylation.
► Kinases and phosphatases anchored in the ciliary axoneme.
► Proteomic studies identifying ciliary proteins and phosphoprotein substrates.