GPR161 mechanosensitivity at the primary cilium drives neuronal saltatory migration

The saltatory migration of neurons is essential for brain formation.
Whether mechanical stimuli regulate this process is unknown. Here we show
that the primary cilium acts as a mechanical sensor through GPR161. Using
an ex vivo neuronal migration model and microfluidic
assays, we demonstrate that fluid shear stress induces
migration via the mechanoreceptor GPR161 at the primary
cilium, with its mechanosensitive Helix 8 being essential. We demonstrate
that GPR161 activates a recently discovered cAMP/PKA signaling pathway
leading to the phosphorylation of NDE1, a dynein complex regulator, and
microtubule organization to regulate migration. These findings unveil a
dynamic primary cilium-based pathway sensing mechanical stimulus to drive
cyclic saltatory neuronal migration during brain development.