Abstract
Elmo proteins positively regulate actin polymerization during cell migration and phagocytosis through activation of the small G protein Rac. We identified an Elmo-like protein, ElmoA, in Dictyostelium discoideum that unexpectedly functions as a negative regulator of actin polymerization. Cells lacking ElmoA display an elevated rate of phagocytosis, increased pseudopod formation, and excessive F-actin localization within pseudopods. ElmoA associates with cortical actin and myosin II. TIRF microscopic observations of functional ElmoA-GFP reveal that a fraction of ElmoA localizes near the presumptive actin/myosin II cortex and the levels of ElmoA and myosin II negatively correlate with that of polymerizing F-actin. F-actin-regulated dynamic dispersions of ElmoA and myosin II are interdependent. Taken together, our data suggest that ElmoA modulates actin/myosin II at the cortex to prevent excessive F-actin polymerization around the cell periphery, thereby maintaining proper cell shape during phagocytosis and chemotaxis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
