Ift88 is essential for normal primary cilia function in the ventral midbrain.
Midbrain-inactivation of Ift88 results in loss of Shh signaling and mDA precursors.
An Ift88 hypomorphic mutant (cbbs) maintains clusters of Shh-responding cells.
The dopaminergic neuron precursor domain is not established in cbbs mutants.
Functional primary cilia are required for induction of dopaminergic precursors.