@article {825466, title = {Undertaker, a Drosophila Junctophilin, links Draper-mediated phagocytosis and calcium homeostasis.}, journal = {Cell}, volume = {135}, year = {2008}, month = {2008 Oct 31}, pages = {524-34}, abstract = {

Phagocytosis is important during development and in the immune response for the removal of apoptotic cells and pathogens, yet its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the CED2/5/10/12 pathway regulates actin during phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, whereas the role of the CED1/6/7 pathway in phagocytosis is unclear. We report that Undertaker (UTA), a Drosophila Junctophilin protein, is required for Draper (CED-1 homolog)-mediated phagocytosis. Junctophilins couple Ca2+ channels at the plasma membrane to those of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Ryanodine receptors. We place Draper, its adaptor drCed-6, UTA, the Ryanodine receptor Rya-r44F, the ER Ca2+ sensor dSTIM, and the Ca2+-release-activated Ca2+ channel dOrai in the same pathway that promotes calcium homeostasis and phagocytosis. Thus, our results implicate a Junctophilin in phagocytosis and link Draper-mediated phagocytosis to Ca2+ homeostasis, highlighting a previously uncharacterized role for the CED1/6/7 pathway.

}, keywords = {Animals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Apoptosis, calcium, drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila Proteins, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Membrane Proteins, Phagocytosis}, issn = {1097-4172}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2008.08.033}, author = {Cuttell, Leigh and Vaughan, Andrew and Silva, Elizabeth and Escaron, Claire J and Lavine, Mark and Van Goethem, Emeline and Eid, Jean-Pierre and Quirin, Magali and Franc, Nathalie C} }