C. elegans ciliated sensory neurons release extracellular vesicles that function in animal communication

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• Extracellular vesicles (ECVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication.
• Their biogenesis and signaling are not fully understood, partly due to detection challenges.
• The small size of ECVs (around 100 nm) complicates their study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an in vivo system for visualizing the dynamic release of ECVs.
• To investigate the biogenesis and function of ECVs released from specific neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans.
• To identify the molecular mechanisms and proteins involved in ECV release and signaling.

Main Methods:

• Development of an in vivo system using GFP-labeled ECVs for visualization.
• Utilizing electron tomography and genetic analysis to study ECV biogenesis.
• Employing behavioral assays with isolated ECVs to determine their functional role.

Main Results:

• Specific ciliated sensory neurons in C. elegans release ECVs containing GFP-tagged polycystins (LOV-1 and PKD-2).
• ECV biogenesis occurs via plasma membrane budding at the ciliary base, not multivesicular body fusion.
• Intraflagellar transport and kinesin-3 KLP-6 are essential for the release of PKD-2::GFP ECVs.
• Isolated ECVs from wild-type animals induce male mating behaviors, while those lacking PKD-2::GFP do not.

Conclusions:

• Environmentally released ECVs play a significant role in animal communication and mating behaviors.
• Polycystins and specific transport mechanisms are critical for ECV-mediated signaling.
• This study provides novel insights into ECV biogenesis and function in vivo.