Local microtubule organization promotes cargo transport in C. elegans dendrites

Abstract

The specific organization of the neuronal microtubule cytoskeleton in axons and dendrites is an evolutionarily conserved determinant of neuronal polarity that allows for selective cargo sorting. However, how dendritic microtubules are organized and whether local differences influence cargo transport remains largely unknown. Here, we use live-cell imaging to systematically probe the microtubule organization in Caenorhabditiselegans neurons, and demonstrate the contribution of distinct mechanisms in the organization of dendritic microtubules. We found that most non-ciliated neurons depend on unc-116 (kinesin-1), unc-33 (CRMP) and unc-44 (ankyrin) for correct microtubule organization and polarized cargo transport, as previously reported. Ciliated neurons and the URX neuron, however, use an additional pathway to nucleate microtubules at the tip of the dendrite, from the base of the cilium in ciliated neurons. Since inhibition of distal microtubule nucleation affects distal dendritic transport, we propose a model in which the presence of a microtubule-organizing center at the dendrite tip ensures correct dendritic cargo transport.