Primary cilia as antennas for oxygen

Over the past few decades, the primary cilium, an inconspicuous cell organelle, has increasingly become the focus of current research. The primary cilium is a microtubule-based, nonmotile, antenna-like structure that is present in almost all mammalian cells. The ciliary membrane incorporates a large number of receptor molecules, which further characterize this cellular organelle. These include receptors of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-, Wnt-, or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathways. For this reason, as well as due to the fact that extracellular signaling molecules can bind to the ciliary membrane, primary cilia have been named "the antenna of the cell." In addition to their signaling function, the association of ciliary dysfunctions with a variety of diseases, so-called ciliopathies, underscores the importance of this functional cellular structure. Recent studies have also implicated primary cilia in the adaptation to low-oxygen conditions, which are characteristic of ischemia, such as in stroke or myocardial infarction, or tumor entities. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of these multiple facets and to take a closer look at the evolution of an inconspicuous cell organelle to a major player in hypoxia.