Intraflagellar Transport Protein 27 (IFT27)

IFT27 encodes a putative GTP-binding protein similar to RAY/RAB1C. The protein is ras-related, but the function is unknown. Several transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

IFT27, is a Rab-like small G protein. Reduction of the level of IFT27 by RNA interference reduces the levels of other complex A and B proteins, suggesting that this protein is instrumental in maintaining the stability of both IFT complexes. Furthermore, in addition to its role in flagellar assembly, IFT27 is unique among IFT polypeptides in that its partial knockdown results in defects in cytokinesis and elongation of the cell cycle and a more complete knockdown is lethal. IFT27, a small G protein, is one of a growing number of flagellar proteins that are now known to have a role in cell-cycle control.