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

J Immunol. 2011 Apr 1;186(7):4088-97. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1001139. Epub 2011 Feb 21.

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 phosphomimetic conformationally active mutant of ezrin or those in which ezrin dephosphorylation was pharmacologically inhibited displayed impaired microvillar dynamics, morphological polarization, and chemotaxis. Our data suggest a 2-fold involvement of ezrin in B cell migration, whereby it first undergoes chemokine-induced dephosphorylation to facilitate membrane flexibility, followed by relocalization to the actin-rich lamellipodia for dynamic forward protrusion of the cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Amino Acid Substitution / immunology
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Migration Inhibition / genetics
  • Cell Migration Inhibition / immunology*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / genetics
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics*
  • Cytoskeleton / chemistry*
  • Cytoskeleton / genetics
  • Cytoskeleton / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microfilament Proteins / chemistry
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Phosphorylation / genetics
  • Phosphorylation / immunology
  • Protein Conformation
  • Pseudopodia / genetics
  • Pseudopodia / immunology
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / immunology
  • Threonine / chemistry
  • Threonine / genetics

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • ezrin
  • moesin
  • Threonine