Asymmetric localization of calpain 2 during neutrophil chemotaxis

Mol Biol Cell. 2007 Mar;18(3):795-805. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e06-09-0876. Epub 2006 Dec 27.

Abstract

Chemoattractants induce neutrophil polarization through localized polymerization of F-actin at the leading edge. The suppression of rear and lateral protrusions is required for efficient chemotaxis and involves the temporal and spatial segregation of signaling molecules. We have previously shown that the intracellular calcium-dependent protease calpain is required for cell migration and is involved in regulating neutrophil chemotaxis. Here, we show that primary neutrophils and neutrophil-like HL-60 cells express both calpain 1 and calpain 2 and that chemoattractants induce the asymmetric recruitment of calpain 2, but not calpain 1, to the leading edge of polarized neutrophils and differentiated HL-60 cells. Using time-lapse microscopy, we show that enrichment of calpain 2 at the leading edge occurs during early pseudopod formation and that its localization is sensitive to changes in the chemotactic gradient. We demonstrate that calpain 2 is recruited to lipid rafts and that cholesterol depletion perturbs calpain 2 localization, suggesting that its enrichment at the front requires proper membrane organization. Finally, we show that catalytic activity of calpain is required to limit pseudopod formation in the direction of chemoattractant and for efficient chemotaxis. Together, our findings identify calpain 2 as a novel component of the frontness signal that promotes polarization during chemotaxis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calpain / genetics
  • Calpain / metabolism*
  • Catalysis / drug effects
  • Cell Polarity / drug effects
  • Chemotactic Factors / pharmacology
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte* / drug effects
  • Complement C5a / immunology
  • G(M3) Ganglioside / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Microdomains / drug effects
  • Models, Biological
  • Neutrophils / cytology*
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / enzymology*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Pseudopodia / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Talin / metabolism

Substances

  • Chemotactic Factors
  • G(M3) Ganglioside
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Talin
  • Complement C5a
  • Calpain
  • CAPN1 protein, human
  • CAPN2 protein, human