Work

Rho/ROCK-dependent actomyosin contractility drives extracellular vesicle release from the cilium

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: ABSTRACT The release of extracellular vesicles (EV) from the primary cilium is a conserved process observed in many cell types. It serves as a rapid and efficient mechanism to release select proteins from the cilium, which can be used for either intercellular communication or membrane material disposal. Previous studies have shown that the release of EVs from the cilium relies on the actin cytoskeleton and proposed several molecular mechanisms that may perform this function. Using the model of IMCD3 cells, we now demonstrate that this process relies on actomyosin contractility supported by non-muscle myosin IIA acting downstream of the RhoA-ROCK signaling pathway. We further showed that the cilia of these cells release EVs independently of de novo actin polymerization, which we confirmed using an in vivo model of mutant photoreceptor cells that release massive amounts of vesicles from their cilia instead of elaborating into light-sensitive outer segment membrane structures.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.64898/2026.08.24.746798

Authors: William J. Spencer, Margaux J. Kreitman, Nicholas F. Schneider, Christin Hanke-Gogokhia, Stella Finkelstein, David G. Ball, Petar R. Mitev, Gregory J. Pazour, Vadim Y. Arshavsky

Institutions: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Duke Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Topic: Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Research to Prevent Blindness, State University of New York, State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Award: G4302202594

OpenAlex ID: W7204185192

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