Class I myosins, which link F-actin to membrane, are largely undefined in lymphocytes. We have previously identified Myo1G as the dominant class I myosin in T-lymphocytes, demonstrated its preferential localization at the plasma membrane, and performed structure/function analysis to elucidate the structural basis of its association with the plasma membrane. In the study period we have emphasized analysis of its function by generating a Myo1G knockout mouse and investigating the functional alterations in that mouse. We find that overall immune system development is generally normal. However, when we initiated more targeted hypotheses testing, notable alterations were observed. Knockout T-lymphocytes have clearly INCREASED migration rates. Initial analysis reveals a 30% increase in rate of in vitro migration on planar surfaces coated with ICAM-1. In vivo studies were then undertaken of T-lymphocyte migration in lymph nodes. Those studies demonstrated a 40% increase in rate of migration. We explored potential mechanisms by which Myo1G could regulate migration. We hypothesized that Myo1G would regulate membrane tension in lymphocytes and established a collaboration with Dr. Matthew Tyska (Vanderbilt) to directly test the impact of Myo1G deletion on membrane tension. The results demonstrate that Myo1G knockouts have about a 50% decrease in membrane tension. Given the constraints that membrane tension place on lamellipod extension, we view this decrease in membrane tension as a likely major contributor to the accelerated migration observed in our Myo1G knockout mice

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIABC010993-04
Application #
8349264
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$270,657
Indirect Cost
Name
National Cancer Institute Division of Basic Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code
Patino-Lopez, Genaro; Aravind, L; Dong, Xiaoyun et al. (2010) Myosin 1G is an abundant class I myosin in lymphocytes whose localization at the plasma membrane depends on its ancient divergent pleckstrin homology (PH) domain (Myo1PH). J Biol Chem 285:8675-86
Liu, Yin; Belkina, Natalya V; Shaw, Stephen (2009) HIV infection of T cells: actin-in and actin-out. Sci Signal 2:pe23
Patino-Lopez, Genaro; Dong, Xiaoyun; Ben-Aissa, Khadija et al. (2008) Rab35 and its GAP EPI64C in T cells regulate receptor recycling and immunological synapse formation. J Biol Chem 283:18323-30