IFT46 is a core component of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) complex B, essential for cilium assembly, maintenance, and function 1. As part of the IFT machinery, IFT46 transports proteins along the axoneme to enable cilia biogenesis and proper ciliary structure 2. IFT46 specifically mediates ciliary import of outer dynein arms through direct binding to the ODA16 adaptor protein 34, with Arl3-mediated ODA16 release regulating this transport process 3. Beyond ciliogenesis, IFT46 regulates autophagy flux and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the Limk2 signaling axis 5. IFT46 is preferentially expressed in early hypertrophic chondrocytes and plays a role in skeletogenesis 6. Clinically, IFT46 deficiency causes multiple ciliopathy-related pathologies including renal cysts, pericardial edema, and left-right axis patterning defects 15. SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 impairs cilia by triggering IFT46 degradation via CUL2ZYG11B-mediated ubiquitination, potentially explaining anosmia and ageusia in COVID-19 7. These findings establish IFT46 as critical for both ciliary structure maintenance and extraciliary autophagy-dependent cellular processes relevant to polycystic kidney disease and respiratory dysfunction.