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Microridge-like structures anchor motile cilia.
Takayuki Yasunaga1, Johannes Wiegel1, Max D Bergen1
1Department of Medicine IV, University Freiburg Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
Nature Communications
|April 20, 2022
Summary
Researchers discovered that microridge-like structures anchor the actin cytoskeleton to orient motile cilia in multiciliated cells (MCCs), crucial for organ function and preventing disease.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Multiciliated cells (MCCs) generate directional fluid flow essential for organ function and development.
- The precise mechanisms anchoring motile cilia to maintain directional orientation remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the actin cytoskeleton and associated structures in orienting and anchoring motile cilia in developing MCCs.
Main Methods:
- Live imaging of actin dynamics during MCC development.
- Investigating the function of microridge-like structures and Nonmuscle Myosin II.
- Utilizing optogenetics and kinase inhibition to perturb actin-cytoskeleton interactions.
Main Results:
- Actin cytoskeleton dynamics are crucial during early MCC development.
- Subapical actin filaments nucleate from ciliary rootlets and require microridge-like structures for anchorage.
- Disruption of microridge components or myosin activity impairs ciliary rootlet anchorage and orientation.
Conclusions:
- Microridge-like structures are essential for anchoring basal body rootlets in MCCs.
- This anchoring mechanism ensures proper ciliary orientation and directional fluid flow.
- Findings provide insight into the molecular basis of human diseases caused by defective ciliary motility.
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