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Published on: May 6, 2018
Extracellular vesicles mediate stem cell signaling and systemic RNAi in planarians
Vidyanand Sasidharan1,2, Laura Ancellotti3, Viraj Doddihal4
1Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Planarian flatworms release abundant extracellular vesicles (EVs) that shuttle small RNAs, mediating systemic RNA interference (RNAi) and regulating regeneration. AGO-3 protein is crucial for this EV-based intercellular communication.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Planarian flatworms possess remarkable regenerative abilities.
- Intercellular communication mechanisms governing regeneration are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover and characterize extracellular vesicles (EVs) in planarians.
- To investigate the role of EVs in planarian intercellular communication and regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Imaging and molecular analysis of planarian EVs.
- Environmental stressor experiments to assess EV release.
- Gene knockdown experiments targeting AGO-3.
- Small RNA sequencing of EVs.
Main Results:
- Abundant EVs were discovered and characterized in planarians, showing conserved biogenesis and composition.
- Environmental stressors increased EV release, indicating dynamic regulation.
- Planarian EVs transfer regulatory small RNAs, mediating systemic RNA interference (RNAi).
- AGO-3 protein plays a key role in small interfering RNA association with EVs.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular vesicles are pivotal mediators of cell-cell communication in planarians.
- EVs facilitate systemic RNAi, contributing to gene regulation and regeneration.
- These findings provide insights into the coordination of regeneration in animals.
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