Conformational switching in ezrin regulates morphological and cytoskeletal changes required for B cell chemotaxis.

ABSTRACT: B cell chemotaxis occurs in response to specific chemokine gradients and is critical for homeostasis and immune response. The molecular regulation of B cell membrane-actin interactions during migration is poorly understood. In this study, we report a role for ezrin, a member of the membrane-cytoskeleton cross-linking ezrin-radixin-moesin proteins, in the regulation of the earliest steps of B cell polarization and chemotaxis. We visualized chemokine-induced changes in murine B cell morphology using scanning electron microscopy and spatiotemporal dynamics of ezrin in B cells using epifluorescence and total internal reflection microscopy. Upon chemokine stimulation, ezrin is transiently dephosphorylated to assume an inactive conformation and localizes to the lamellipodia. B cells expressing a

SUBMITTER: Parameswaran N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3106416 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature