Consistent with this observation, two mutations in human IFT144, C1253Y and C1267Y (equivalent to C1286 and C1300 in Tetrahymena IFT144) that disrupt the zinc ion binding leads to Nephronophthisis and Jeune syndrome, underscoring the important role of IFT144ZBD in ciliary function39,40. The gene discussed is WDR19; the disease is nephronophthisis.