Primary ciliary protein kinase A activity in the prefrontal cortex modulates stress in mice

Advances in Imaging Techniques for Mammalian/Human Ciliated Cell's Cilia: Insights into Structure, Function, and Dynamics

Cilia are evolutionarily conserved, microtubule-based organelles characterized by their ultrastructures and diverse functional roles, including developmental signaling, mechanosensation, and fluid propulsion. They are widely distributed across cell surfaces and play crucial roles in cell cycle regulation and tissue homeostasis. Despite advances in studying their molecular regulation and functions, demonstrating the precise ultrastructure of cilia remains a challenge. Recent novel microscopy techniques, such as super-resolution microscopy and volume electron microscopy, are revolutionizing our understanding of their architecture and mechanochemical signaling. By integrating findings from different methodologies, this review highlights how these advances bridge basic research and clinical applications and provide a comprehensive understanding of the structural organization, functional mechanisms, and dynamic changes of cilia.

Prefrontal cortex modulation of stress by primary cilia

In this issue of Neuron, Yang et al.1 reveal that primary cilia in mouse prefrontal cortex excitatory neurons regulate stress responses via cAMP/PKA signaling. Stress induces ciliary elongation, enhancing corticosterone-mediated neuronal inhibition. Cilia loss reduces stress sensitivity, highlighting their role in stress adaptation, with potential therapeutic relevance.