SSX2IP promotes centrosome maturation and maintenance at the onset of vertebrate development, preserving centrosome integrity and mitosis during rapid cleavage divisions and in somatic cells.

The centriolar satellite protein SSX2IP mediates recruitment of Cep290 to the basal body of cilia. It promotes BBSome and Rab8 entry into cilia, as well as accumulation of the ciliary membrane protein SSTR3. The data establish SSX2IP as a novel targeting factor for ciliary membrane proteins cooperating with Cep290, the BBSome, and Rab8.