TBC1D10C is a cytoskeletal functional linker that modulates cell spreading and phagocytosis in macrophages

Abstract

Cell spreading and phagocytosis are notably regulated by small GTPases and GAP proteins. TBC1D10C is a dual inhibitory protein with GAP activity. In immune cells, TBC1D10C is one of the elements regulating lymphocyte activation. However, its specific role in macrophages remains unknown. Here, we show that TBC1D10C engages in functions dependent on the cytoskeleton and plasma membrane reorganization. Using ex vivo and in vitro assays, we found that elimination and overexpression of TBC1D10C modified the cytoskeletal architecture of macrophages by decreasing and increasing the spreading ability of these cells, respectively. In addition, TBC1D10C overexpression contributed to higher phagocytic activity against Burkholderia cenocepacia and to increased cell membrane tension. Furthermore, by performing in vitro and in silico analyses, we identified 27 TBC1D10C-interacting proteins, some of which were functionally classified as protein complexes involved in cytoskeletal dynamics. Interestingly, we identified one unreported TBC1D10C-intrinsically disordered region (IDR) with biological potential at the cytoskeleton level. Our results demonstrate that TBC1D10C shapes macrophage activity by inducing reorganization of the cytoskeleton-plasma membrane in cell spreading and phagocytosis. We anticipate our results will be the basis for further studies focused on TBC1D10C. For example, the specific molecular mechanism in Burkholderia cenocepacia phagocytosis and functional analysis of TBC1D10C-IDR are needed to further understand its role in health and disease.