Filopodia in Leukocyte and Endothelial Cell Function

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Growing evidence indicates that the slender actin-based extensions known as filopodia play central roles in the cell biology underlying inflammation and angiogenesis. The initial contacts between leukocytes and endothelial cells during leukocyte rolling occur at the tips of filopodia-like structures and endothelial "pathfinder" cells appear to be guided by filopodia during angiogenesis. Despite these critical roles of filopodia in leukocytes and endothelial cells, the molecular mechanisms underlying filopodial extension, adhesion, and signaling are largely unknown. Our discovery that myosin-X (Myo10) is a core component of a putative filopodial tip complex, is involved in filopodia formation, and undergoes a novel form of motility in filopodia, gives us a powerful tool to investigate these questions. We therefore propose to: I. Determine the functional consequences of MyolO's interaction with integrins. Since Myo10 is an unconventional myosin whose tail includes a PERM domain that can binds to the cytoplasmic domains of pintegrins, we will test whether binding to this motor protein activates integrins. We will also test if Myo10 binds to the leukocyte specific beta2-integrins and if Myo10 is required for complement-mediated phagocytosis. II. Analyze the functions of Myo10 in leukocytes and endothelial cells in processes such as filopodial extension, chemotaxis, and transendothelial migration using siRNA and a dominant negative construct. Although Myo10 is the MyTH-FERM myosin expressed in most vertebrate cells and a related myosin in lower organisms is required for filopodia formation, adhesion, and phagocytosis, almost nothing is known about the functions of this family of myosins in leukocytes and endothelial cells. III. Define the basic biochemical properties and components of the filopodial tip complex. Like the focal adhesion, the filopodial tip complex appears to function as a specialized site of cell adhesion, signaling, and actin polymerization, but currently very little is known about the molecular components and properties of the filopodial tip complex. This work is of great relevance to public health because it will investigate the fundamental cell biological mechanisms of inflammation and cell signaling that underlie cardiovascular disease and other serious human health problems.