Calcineurin regulates coelomocyte endocytosis via DYN-1 and CUP-4 in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mol Cells. 2010 Sep;30(3):255-62. doi: 10.1007/s10059-010-0116-x. Epub 2010 Aug 23.

Abstract

C. elegans coelomocytes are macrophage-like scavenger cells that provide an excellent in vivo system for the study of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Using this in vivo system, several genes involved in coelomocyte endocytosis have been identified previously. However, the detailed mechanism of endocytic pathway is still unknown. Here, we report a new function of calcineurin, an evolutionarily conserved Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent Ser/Thr protein phosphatase, in coelomocyte endocytosis. We found that calcineurin mutants show defective coelomocyte endocytosis. Genetic analysis suggests that calcineurin and a GTPase, dynamin (DYN-1), may function upstream of an orphan receptor, CUP-4, to regulate endocytosis. Therefore, we propose a model in which calcineurin may regulate coelomocyte endocytosis via DYN-1 and CUP-4 in C. elegans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Calcineurin / genetics
  • Calcineurin / metabolism*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dynamins / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis / genetics
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • CUP-4 protein, C elegans
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Calcineurin
  • Dyn-1 protein, C elegans
  • Dynamins
  • Calcium