The midbody remnant (MBR) is now recognized as a unique, large extracellular vesicle (EV) that originates from the midbody structure formed during cytokinesis. Recent studies show that MBRs harbor active translation machinery and a distinctive set of RNAs and proteins, including key cell fate, pluripotency, and oncogenic transcripts. Unlike canonical small EVs, these post-abscission MBRs maintain regulated protein synthesis and can influence recipient cell behavior, indicative of their novel role in intercellular communication. The identification of MBRs as translating EVs not only broadens our understanding of EV diversity but also offers new opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer, stem cell biology, and tissue regeneration.

Host: Babli Adhikary, MCDB Community Engagement Committee