A requirement of MAPKAPK2 in the uropod localization of PTEN during FMLP-induced neutrophil chemotaxis☆

Abstract The directionality control in chemotaxis is the result of a reciprocal regulation of PI3-kinase and PTEN subcellular localization. MK2 −/− neutrophils have a directionality loss in fMLP-induced chemotaxis. We found that in polarized WT neutrophils PTEN was localized in the uropod region. However, MK2 −/− neutrophils or p38 MAPK inhibitor—SB203580—pretreated WT neutrophils showed a disrupted PTEN subcellular localization. Some PTEN was localized at the leading edge of the polarized neutrophils, which may lower the concentration of PI3-kinase lipid product PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 required for directionality sensing. FMLP-stimulated MK2 −/− neutrophils or SB203580-pretreated WT neutrophils also had disrupted F-actin polarization. F-actin polymerization inhibitor lantrunculin-B disrupted the polarization of PTEN, but not PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. The results suggest that PTEN uropod polarization is F-actin polymerization-dependent and may be through the effect of MK2 on F-actin polarization.