High resolution dynamic mapping of the C. elegans intestinal brush border

The intestinal brush border is made of an array of microvilli that
increases the membrane surface area for nutrient processing, absorption,
and host defense. Studies on mammalian cultured epithelial cells uncovered
some of the molecular players and physical constrains required to
establish this apical specialized membrane. However, the building and
maintenance of a brush border in vivo has not been investigated in detail
yet. Here, we combined super-resolution imaging, transmission electron
microscopy and genome editing in the developing nematode C. elegans to
build a high-resolution and dynamic localization map of known and new
brush border markers. Notably, we show that microvilli components are
dynamically enriched at the apical membrane during microvilli outgrowth
and maturation but become highly stable once microvilli are built. This
new toolbox will be instrumental to understand the molecular processes of
microvilli growth and maintenance in vivo as well as the effect of genetic
perturbations, notably in the context of disorders affecting brush border
integrity.