DNAL1

This gene encodes an axonemal dynein light chain which functions as a component of the outer dynein arms complex. This complex acts as the molecular motor that provides the force to move cilia in an ATP-dependent manner. The encoded protein is expressed in tissues with motile cilia or flagella and may be involved in the movement of sperm flagella. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.[provided by RefSeq, Jan 2011]

Dynein Axonemal Light Chain 1

Part of the multisubunit axonemal ATPase complexes that generate the force for cilia motility and govern beat frequency (By similarity).

Component of the outer arm dynein (ODA). May be involved in a mechanosensory feedback mechanism controlling ODA activity based on external conformational cues by tethering the outer arm dynein heavy chain (DNAH5) to the microtubule within the axoneme (By similarity).

Important for ciliary function in the airways and for the function of the cilia that produce the nodal flow essential for the determination of the left-right asymmetry (PubMed:21496787).

Outer dynein arm assembly Source: UniProtKB

Cilium axoneme

Ciliary dyskinesia, primary, 16 (CILD16):
A disorder characterized by abnormalities of motile cilia. Respiratory infections leading to chronic inflammation and bronchiectasis are recurrent, due to defects in the respiratory cilia; reduced fertility is often observed in male patients due to abnormalities of sperm tails. Half of the patients exhibit randomization of left-right body asymmetry and situs inversus, due to dysfunction of monocilia at the embryonic node. Primary ciliary dyskinesia associated with situs inversus is referred to as Kartagener syndrome.