title: C. elegans ciliated sensory neurons release extracellular vesicles that function in animal communication.
abstract: Cells release extracellular vesicles (ECVs) that play important roles in intercellular communication and may mediate a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. Many fundamental aspects of ECV biogenesis and signaling have yet to be determined, with ECV detection being a challenge and obstacle due to the small size (100 nm) of the ECVs. We developed an in vivo system to visualize the dynamic release of GFP-labeled ECVs. We show here that specific Caenorhabdidits elegans ciliated sensory neurons shed and release ECVs containing GFP-tagged polycystins LOV-1 and PKD-2. These ECVs are also abundant in the lumen surrounding the cilium. Electron tomography and genetic analysis indicate that ECV biogenesis occurs via budding from the plasma membrane at the ciliary base and not via fusion of multivesicular bodies. Intraflagellar transport and kinesin-3 KLP-6 are required for environmental release of PKD-2::GFP-containing ECVs. ECVs isolated from wild-type animals induce male tail-chasing behavior, while ECVs isolated from klp-6 animals and lacking PKD-2::GFP do not. We conclude that environmentally released ECVs play a role in animal communication and mating-related behaviors.
authors: Department of Genetics and The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Genetics and The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
authors: Malan
authors: M
authors: Silva
authors: Department of Genetics and The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
authors: Leonard A
authors: LA
authors: Haas
authors: Department of Genetics and The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
authors: Natalia S
authors: NS
authors: Morsci
authors: Center for C. elegans Anatomy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1410 Pelham Parkway, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors: Ken C Q
authors: KC
authors: Nguyen
authors: Center for C. elegans Anatomy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1410 Pelham Parkway, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: Hall
authors: Department of Genetics and The Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. Electronic address: barr@dls.rutgers.edu.
authors: Maureen M
authors: MM
authors: Barr
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002923:Cilia / Q000502:physiology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016547:Kinesins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D050396:TRPP Cation Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C515011:LOV-1 protein, C elegans; C527777:PKD-2 protein, C elegans; D050396:TRPP Cation Channels; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C500832:KLP-6 protein, C elegans; D016547:Kinesins