Dynein, Axonemal, Light Chain 1 (DNAL1)

DNAL1 is a component of outer dynein arms, which contain the molecular motors for ATP-dependent cilia movement . DNAL1 gene contains 8 exons and spans 49 kb. The mouse Dnal1 gene contains 8 coding exons and spans 25 kb.

The deduced 190-amino acid protein is 54% identical to Chlamydomonas LC1 and 93% identical to mouse Dnal1. Northern blot analysis detected a 0.9-kb DNAL1 transcript in testis only. In situ hybridization of gastrulation stage mouse embryos detected Dnal1 expression only in the node, where the authors suggested it may contribute to motile 9+0 cilia function. In adult animals, Dnal1 was found in respiratory epithelium of the upper airways and in ependymal cells lining brain ventricles and the aqueduct of Sylvius.