Microvilli give gut vesicles the brush-off
A surprising new function for intestinal cells in shaping theirlocal environment.Every cell lining the small intestine bristles with thousandsof tightly packed microvilli that project into the gut lumen,forming a brush border that absorbs nutrients and protects thebody from intestinal bacteria. McConnell et al. now find thatmicrovilli extend their functional reach even further usinga molecular motor to send vesicles packed with gut enzymes outinto the lumen to get a head start on breaking down their substrate.