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. 2021 Sep 17;10:e67670. doi: 10.7554/eLife.67670

Figure 7. AMsh glia phagocytic activity is required to maintain a proper sensory cilia structure.

(A) We examined ASER cilia shape in N2 and in AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) transgenics animals expressing mKate in ASER. Three categories were made according to ASER cilia shape: animals displaying zero (WT), one, or two filopodia-like protrusions still connected to periciliary membrane compartment (PCMC) (C: cilium; P: filopodial-like protrusion). The percentage of each cilium shape category is given for each genotype. Expression of DYN-1(K46A) transgene in AMsh strongly increased the number of animals showing PCMC protrusions. (B) We examined ASH cilia shape in N2 and in AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) transgenic animals expressing mKate in ASH. Two categories were made according to ASH cilia shape: animals displaying, or not, filopodia-like protrusions still connected to PCMC. AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) strongly increased the number of animals showing PCMC protrusions. (C) We examined AWC wing cilia (WC) with their characteristic membranous expansions in N2 and in AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) transgenics animals expressing DsRed in AWC. Three categories were made according to AWC cilia shape: animals displaying two WC (as wild type), animals displaying one WC and branches instead of the second WC, and animals displaying only branches instead of two WC. In addition, filopodia-like protrusions still connected to PCMC were observed in 11 of 14 AWC animals expressing AMsh::DYN-1(K46A). AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) transgene strongly increased the number of animals showing abnormal AWC cilia; however, AWC cilia was always maintained. (D) Nerve receptive ending (NRE) shape of AFD in N2 and in AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) transgenics expressing mKate in AFD. Five categories were established: wild-type phenotype (WT), abnormal AFD PCMC, abnormal PCMC + elongated microvilli (PCMC + Long Mv), reduced number of microvilli (Less Mv#), and full loss of microvilli (Truncated). AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) transgene strongly increased the number of animals showing abnormal AFD cilia; however, AFD NREs are maintained in 90% of the animals. Scale bar: 5 μm.

Figure 7.

Figure 7—figure supplement 1. ASER sensory cilia structure is affected when AMsh phagocytic activity is disturbed.

Figure 7—figure supplement 1.

(A) Cilia shape of ASER in transgenics controls expressing cytoplasmic mKate. (A′) Cilia shape of ASER in transgenics expressing cytoplasmic mKate and co-expressing AMsh::DYN-1(K46A). Filopodia-like protrusions can be observed protruding from periciliary membrane compartment (PCMC) (green arrowheads), and the number of ectosomes (magenta arrowheads) within AMsh cytoplasm is increased in the vicinity of ASER cilia in animals expressing AMsh::DYN-1(K46A). (B) The ASER PCMC area was evaluated based on 2D projections. PCMC area is not significantly modified in AMsh::DYN-1(K46A) transgenics. Unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction. Scale bar: 5 μm.