Raft localisation of FcγRIIa and efficient signaling are dependent on palmitoylation of cysteine 208

Ligand-dependent aggregation of FcγRIIa initiates multiple biochemical processes including the translocation to detergent resistant membrane domains (DRMs) and receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Palmitoylation of cysteine residues is considered to be one process that assists in the localisation of proteins to DRMs. Within the juxtamembrane region of FcγRIIa there is cysteine residue (C208) that we show to be palmitoylated. Mutation of this cysteine residue results in the disruption of FcγRIIa translocation to DRMs as empirically defined by insolubility at high Triton X-100 concentrations. This study also demonstrates that the lack of lipid raft association diminishes FcγRIIa signaling as measured by receptor phosphorylation and calcium mobilisation functions suggesting that FcγRIIa signaling is partially dependent on lipid rafts.