Actin Depolymerizing Factor Destrin Regulates Cilia Development and Function during Vertebrate Embryogenesis

The actin cytoskeleton plays fundamental roles in ciliogenesis and the actin depolymerizing factor destrin regulates actin dynamics by treadmilling actin filaments and increasing globular actin pools. However, the specific developmental roles of destrin in ciliogenesis have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the function of destrin in ciliogenesis using Xenopus laevis and human retinal pigmented epithelial (hRPE1) cells. We discovered the loss of destrin increased the number of multiciliated cells in the Xenopus epithelium and impeded cilia motility. Additionally, destrin depletion remarkably reduced the length of primary cilia in the Xenopus neural tube and hRPE1 cells by affecting actin dynamics. Immunofluorescence using markers of ciliary components indicated that destrin controls the directionality and polarity of basal bodies and axonemal elongation by modulating actin dynamics, independent of basal body docking. In conclusion, destrin plays a significant role during vertebrate ciliogenesis regulating both primary and multicilia development. Our data suggest new insights for understanding the roles of actin dynamics in cilia development.