BBS5

This gene encodes a protein that has been directly linked to Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The primary features of this syndrome include retinal dystrophy, obesity, polydactyly, renal abnormalities and learning disabilities. Experimentation in non-human eukaryotes suggests that this gene is expressed in ciliated cells and that it is required for the formation of cilia. Alternate transcriptional splice variants have been observed but have not been fully characterized. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome 5

Function

The BBSome complex is thought to function as a coat complex required for sorting of specific membrane proteins to the primary cilia. The BBSome complex is required for ciliogenesis but is dispensable for centriolar satellite function. This ciliogenic function is mediated in part by the Rab8 GDP/GTP exchange factor, which localizes to the basal body and contacts the BBSome. Rab8(GTP) enters the primary cilium and promotes extension of the ciliary membrane. Firstly the BBSome associates with the ciliary membrane and binds to RAB3IP/Rabin8, the guanosyl exchange factor (GEF) for Rab8 and then the Rab8-GTP localizes to the cilium and promotes docking and fusion of carrier vesicles to the base of the ciliary membrane. The BBSome complex, together with the LTZL1, controls SMO ciliary trafficking and contributes to the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway regulation. Required for BBSome complex ciliary localization but not for the proper complex assembly.

Biological Process

Cilium assembly Source: BHF-UCL
Heart looping Source: BHF-UCL
Intracellular transport Source: GO_Central
Melanosome transport Source: BHF-UCL
Motile cilium assembly Source: BHF-UCL
Protein transport Source: UniProtKB-KW
Response to stimulus Source: UniProtKB-KW
Visual perception Source: UniProtKB-KW

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm; Cilium membrane; Cilium basal body; Centriolar satellite. Localizes to basal bodies.

Involvement in disease

Bardet-Biedl syndrome 5 (BBS5): A syndrome characterized by usually severe pigmentary retinopathy, early-onset obesity, polydactyly, hypogenitalism, renal malformation and mental retardation. Secondary features include diabetes mellitus, hypertension and congenital heart disease. Bardet-Biedl syndrome inheritance is autosomal recessive, but three mutated alleles (two at one locus, and a third at a second locus) may be required for clinical manifestation of some forms of the disease.