# Brief biology and pathophysiology of Tekt bundles

## TL;DR

Tektins are essential proteins for cilia and flagella function, and their malfunction is linked to various diseases.

## Contribution

This review compiles recent insights into Tektin functions and their regulation in health and disease.

## Key findings

- Tektins stabilize microtubules in cilia and flagella.
- Loss of Tekt1–5 leads to motility defects and diseases like infertility and retinal degeneration.
- Tektin expression is regulated by multiple molecular mechanisms.

## Abstract

Tektins, a family of microtubule-stabilizing proteins, are critical for cilia and flagella assembly in mammals. They maintain doublet microtubule stability and ciliary/flagellar motility. Loss of Tekt1–5 causes microtubule instability, impaired motility, and diseases like infertility, retinal degeneration, Mainzer-Saldino syndrome, and diabetic nephropathy. Pathophysiological stimuli regulate Tektin expression through transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational, and posttranslational modifications. This review summarizes the latest findings on Tektin functions and their role in diseases.