The Role of Microfilaments in Cilia Formation and Function

Cilia are microtubule‐based, highly specialized organelles that are indispensable for tissue and organ development. Failures in ciliogenesis underlie severe genetic disorders known as ciliopathies. Microfilaments, a major cytoskeletal component, maintain cell architecture and facilitate motility. Microfilaments are formed by the polymerization of actin. Actin not only regulates basal‐body migration and docking at the plasma membrane but also interacts with motor proteins that mediate vesicular trafficking. Furthermore, remodeling of the actin lattice modulates microtubule growth and organization. In recent years, the contribution of microfilaments to ciliogenesis and ciliary homeostasis has garnered increasing interest. This review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms underlying actin cytoskeleton dynamics in ciliogenesis, ciliary elongation, and ciliary stability over recent years.