Amphiphysin 1 is important for actin polymerization during phagocytosis

Mol Biol Cell. 2007 Nov;18(11):4669-80. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e07-04-0296. Epub 2007 Sep 12.

Abstract

Amphiphysin 1 is involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In this study, we demonstrate that amphiphysin 1 is essential for cellular phagocytosis and that it is critical for actin polymerization. Phagocytosis in Sertoli cells was induced by stimulating phosphatidylserine receptors. This stimulation led to the formation of actin-rich structures, including ruffles, phagocytic cups, and phagosomes, all of which showed an accumulation of amphiphysin 1. Knocking out amphiphysin 1 by RNA interference in the cells resulted in the reduction of ruffle formation, actin polymerization, and phagocytosis. Phagocytosis was also drastically decreased in amph 1 (-/-) Sertoli cells. In addition, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-induced actin polymerization was decreased in the knockout testis cytosol. The addition of recombinant amphiphysin 1 to the cytosol restored the polymerization process. Ruffle formation in small interfering RNA-treated cells was recovered by the expression of constitutively active Rac1, suggesting that amphiphysin 1 functions upstream of the protein. These findings support that amphiphysin 1 is important in the regulation of actin dynamics and that it is required for phagocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytosol / drug effects
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Liposomes
  • Male
  • Membrane Microdomains / drug effects
  • Membrane Microdomains / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / deficiency
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phagocytosis* / drug effects
  • Phosphatidylserines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Liposomes
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Phosphatidylserines
  • amphiphysin
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins