Sensory cilia as the Achilles heel of nematodes when attacked by carnivorous mushrooms

Significance Multiple fungal lineages have independently evolved carnivorous behaviors, preying on a diversity of nematodes as an adaptation for survival in low-nutrient environments. The edible oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus is known to paralyze nematode prey, but the mechanism was unclear. We show that P. ostreatus triggers a massive calcium influx and rapid cell necrosis in the neuromuscular system of C. elegans via that nematode’s sensory cilia—a mode of action that is conserved across nematodes. Our study reveals a rapid killing mechanism that has not been described previously and is distinct from that employed by common anthelmintic drugs, representing a potential route for targeting parasitic nematodes. It also establishes a paradigm for studying cell death in C. elegans .