Background Mutations affecting cilia proteins have an established role in renal cyst
formation. In mice, the rate of cystogenesis is influenced by the age at which cilia dysfunction
occurs and whether the kidney has been injured. Disruption of cilia function before postnatal
day 12–14 results in rapid cyst formation; however, cyst formation is slower when cilia
dysfunction is induced after postnatal day 14. Rapid cyst formation can also be induced in
conditional adult cilia mutant mice by introducing renal injury. Previous studies indicate that …