Mutations in DYNC2LI1 disrupt cilia function and cause short rib polydactyly syndrome

The short rib polydactyly syndromes (SRPS) are a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive, perinatal-lethal skeletal disorders characterized primarily by short, horizontal ribs, short limbs, and poly-dactyly. Mutations in several genes affecting intraflagellar transport (IFT) cause SRPS but they do not account for all cases. Here we identify additional SRPS genes and further unravel the functional basis for IFT. We perform whole exome sequencing and identify mutations in a new disease-producing gene, cytoplasmic dynein-2 light intermediate chain 1, DYNC2LI1, segregating with disease in three families. Using primary fibroblasts, we show that DYNC2LI1 is essential for dynein-2 complex stability and that mutations in DYNC2LI1 result in variable-length, including hyperelongated, cilia, Hedgehog pathway impairment, and ciliary IFT accumulations. The findings in this study expand our understanding of SRPS locus heterogeneity and demonstrate the importance of DYNC2LI1 in dynein-2 complex stability, cilium function, Hedgehog regulation, and skeletogenesis.