Mechanism and dynamics of INPP5E transport into and inside the ciliary compartment

The inositol polyphosphate 5'-phosphatase E (INPP5E) localizes to cilia. We showed that the carrier protein phosphodiesterase 6 delta subunit (PDE6 delta) mediates the sorting of farnesylated INPP5E into cilia due to high affinity binding and release by the ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf)-like protein Arl3.GTP. However, the dynamics of INPP5E transport into and inside the ciliary compartment are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the movement of INPP5E using live cell fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis. We show that PDE6 delta and the dynein transport system are essential for ciliary sorting and entry of INPP5E. However, its innerciliary transport is regulated solely by the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, independent from PDE6 delta activity and INPP5E farnesylation. By contrast, movement of Arl3 into and within cilia occurs freely by diffusion and IFT-independently. The farnesylation defective INPP5E CaaX box mutant loses the exclusive ciliary localization. The accumulation of this mutant at centrioles after photobleaching suggests an affinity trap mechanism for ciliary entry, that in case of the wild type is overcome by the interaction with PDE6 delta. Collectively, we postulate a three-step mechanism regulating ciliary localization of INPP5E, consisting of farnesylation- and PDE6 delta-mediated targeting, INPP5E-PDE6 delta complex diffusion into the cilium with transfer to the IFT system, and retention inside cilia.