# Electron microscopy ascertains presence of centrioles in rectal epithelial cells of C. elegans L1 larvae

## TL;DR

This study confirms the presence of centrioles in specific rectal cells of C. elegans larvae using electron microscopy.

## Contribution

The study provides the first direct evidence that centrioles are retained in certain post-mitotic cells of C. elegans.

## Key findings

- Centriolar microtubule configurations were identified in B, F, U, and Y rectal epithelial cells.
- These cells retain centrioles, unlike most post-mitotic cells in C. elegans.

## Abstract

Centrioles are microtubule-based organelles important for cellular organization and function.

C. elegans

embryos undergo extensive programmed centriole elimination, with merely 7 post-mitotic cells retaining a focus of the centriolar proteins
SAS-4
and
SAS-7
in L1 larvae. Here, we addressed whether such foci correspond to
bona fide
centrioles by conducting serial-section electron microscopy. Our analysis ascertains that centriolar microtubule configurations are indeed present in the B, F, U and Y rectal epithelial cells. Therefore, centrioles are truly spared from elimination in these cells, calling for investigating the importance of such retention compared to the elimination program occurring in most post-mitotic cells.