The DNAI1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is part of a group (complex) of proteins called dynein. This complex functions within cell structures called cilia. Cilia are microscopic, finger-like projections that stick out from the surface of cells. Coordinated back and forth movement of cilia can move the cell or the fluid surrounding the cell. Dynein produces the force needed for cilia to move. 

Within the core of cilia (the axoneme), dynein complexes are part of structures known as inner dynein arms (IDAs) and outer dynein arms (ODAs) depending on their location. Coordinated movement of the dynein arms causes the entire axoneme to bend back and forth. IDAs and ODAs have different combinations of protein components (subunits) that are classified by weight as heavy, intermediate, or light chains. The DNAI1 gene provides instructions for making intermediate chain 1, which is found in ODAs. Other subunits are produced from different genes.

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

• Tests of DNAI1

Scientific Articles on PubMed

• PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

• DYNEIN, AXONEMAL, INTERMEDIATE CHAIN 1; DNAI1

Gene and Variant Databases

• NCBI Gene
• ClinVar

• Escudier E, Duquesnoy P, Papon JF, Amselem S. Ciliary defects and genetics of primary ciliary dyskinesia. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2009 Jun;10(2):51-4. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2009.02.001. Epub 2009 Apr 18. Citation on PubMed
• Failly M, Saitta A, Munoz A, Falconnet E, Rossier C, Santamaria F, de Santi MM, Lazor R, DeLozier-Blanchet CD, Bartoloni L, Blouin JL. DNAI1 mutations explain only 2% of primary ciliary dykinesia. Respiration. 2008;76(2):198-204. doi: 10.1159/000128567. Epub 2008 Apr 23. Citation on PubMed
• Leigh MW, Pittman JE, Carson JL, Ferkol TW, Dell SD, Davis SD, Knowles MR, Zariwala MA. Clinical and genetic aspects of primary ciliary dyskinesia/Kartagener syndrome. Genet Med. 2009 Jul;11(7):473-87. doi: 10.1097/GIM.0b013e3181a53562. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Pennarun G, Escudier E, Chapelin C, Bridoux AM, Cacheux V, Roger G, Clement A, Goossens M, Amselem S, Duriez B. Loss-of-function mutations in a human gene related to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii dynein IC78 result in primary ciliary dyskinesia. Am J Hum Genet. 1999 Dec;65(6):1508-19. doi: 10.1086/302683. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Raidt J, Riepenhausen S, Pennekamp P, Olbrich H, Amirav I, Athanazio RA, Aviram M, Balinotti JE, Bar-On O, Bode SFN, Boon M, Borrelli M, Carr SB, Crowley S, Dehlink E, Diepenhorst S, Durdik P, Dworniczak B, Emiralioglu N, Erdem E, Fonnesu R, Gracci S, Grosse-Onnebrink J, Gwozdziewicz K, Haarman EG, Hansen CR, Hogg C, Holgersen MG, Kerem E, Korner RW, Kotz K, Kouis P, Loebinger MR, Lorent N, Lucas JS, Maj D, Mall MA, Marthin JK, Martinu V, Mazurek H, Mitchison HM, Nothe-Menchen T, Ozcelik U, Pifferi M, Pogorzelski A, Ringshausen FC, Roehmel JF, Rovira-Amigo S, Rumman N, Schlegtendal A, Shoemark A, Sperstad Kennelly S, Staar BO, Sutharsan S, Thomas S, Ullmann N, Varghese J, von Hardenberg S, Walker WT, Wetzke M, Witt M, Yiallouros P, Zschocke A, Zietkiewicz E, Nielsen KG, Omran H. Analyses of 1236 genotyped primary ciliary dyskinesia individuals identify regional clusters of distinct DNA variants and significant genotype-phenotype correlations. Eur Respir J. 2024 Aug 8;64(2):2301769. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01769-2023. Print 2024 Aug. Citation on PubMed
• Zariwala MA, Despotes KA, Davis SD. Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia. 2007 Jan 24 [updated 2025 May 22]. In: Adam MP, Bick S, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1122/ Citation on PubMed
• Zariwala MA, Leigh MW, Ceppa F, Kennedy MP, Noone PG, Carson JL, Hazucha MJ, Lori A, Horvath J, Olbrich H, Loges NT, Bridoux AM, Pennarun G, Duriez B, Escudier E, Mitchison HM, Chodhari R, Chung EM, Morgan LC, de Iongh RU, Rutland J, Pradal U, Omran H, Amselem S, Knowles MR. Mutations of DNAI1 in primary ciliary dyskinesia: evidence of founder effect in a common mutation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006 Oct 15;174(8):858-66. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200603-370OC. Epub 2006 Jul 20. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Zietkiewicz E, Nitka B, Voelkel K, Skrzypczak U, Bukowy Z, Rutkiewicz E, Huminska K, Przystalowska H, Pogorzelski A, Witt M. Population specificity of the DNAI1 gene mutation spectrum in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Respir Res. 2010 Dec 8;11(1):174. doi: 10.1186/1465-9921-11-174. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central