Regulation of cellular immune system: an involvement of Rit1 GTPase in phagosome formation

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860142
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: Kagawa University
• Principal Investigator: Egami Youhei 香川大学, 医学部, 助教 (80432780)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ファゴサイトーシス / Rit1 / 蛍光ライブセルイメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Phagocytosis is a fundamental pathway that enables cells to eliminate pathogens, and endogenous cell debris, and contribute to immunoprotection and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. In this study, we found that Rit1 GTPase is recruited to the membrane of phagocytic cups during FcγR-mediated phagocytosis in macrophages. Live-cell imaging analysis revealed that Rit1 is transiently colocalized with PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 during early stage of phagosome formation. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Rit1 knockout or the expression of GDP-locked mutant Rit1-S35N suppressed phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized erythrocytes. These data suggest that Rit1 is a crucial regulator of FcγR-mediated phagocytosis in macrophages.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学