[Primary cilium acts as an oxygen sensor in PC12 cells].

To investigate the function of primary cilium as an oxygen sensor in PC12 cells. The PC12 cells were transfected with IFT88 siRNA. The nuclear translocation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and ciliogenesis were observed by immunofluorescence staining; and the mRNA expressions of , vascular endothelial growth factor () and superoxide dismutase () were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The ciliogenesis was inhibited in PC12 cells transfected with IFT88 siRNA. In hypoxia group and scramble control group, nuclear translocations of HIF-1α and Nrf2 were observed and mRNA expressions of were increased, and those of were decreased. While in PC12 cells transfected with IFT88 siRNA, nuclear translocations of HIF-1α and Nrf2 were not observed, and mRNA expressions of were inhibited, and mRNA expression of was increased. Primary cilia may act as an oxygen sensor to transfer the information related to hypoxia and oxidative stress into cells, activating intracellular defense mechanism against the hypoxic injuries.