Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate Impacts Ectosome Shedding from Ciliated Sensory Neurons.

Small secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate the intercellular transport of bioactive macromolecules during physiological processes and propagation of pathological conditions. The primary cilium, a sensory organelle protruding from most non-dividing cells, transmits signals by shedding EVs called ectosomes. Although the ciliary membrane is continuous with the plasma membrane, it exhibits unique phospholipid distribution, with levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate PI(4,5)P high in the periciliary membrane compartment (PCMC), but low in the cilium proper and distal tip.