The human N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR) is a member of the family of leukocyte, G protein-coupled, chemoattractant receptors. To determine the role(s) of receptor phosphorylation in FPR processing and formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLF)-mediated chemotaxis, we utilized U937 cells expressing the recombinant wild type receptor and a mutant form of the FPR. This mutant, which lacks all of the serine and threonine residues in the C terminus of the receptor, ⌬ST, has recently been shown to produce a receptor capable of fMLF binding and G protein activation but was demonstrated not to undergo fMLF-dependent phosphorylation or desensitization of the calcium mobilization response upon repeated exposure to agonist (Prossnitz, E. R. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 15213-15219). In this report, we examined the role of receptor phosphorylation in FPR internalization and leukocyte chemotaxis. Whereas the wild type receptor was rapidly internalized upon stimulation, the phosphorylation-deficient mutant was not, remaining entirely on the cell surface. In addition, contrary to the hypothesis that receptor processing and recycling are required for chemotaxis, we found no defect in the ability of the mutant FPR to migrate up a concentration gradient of fMLF. These results indicate that phosphorylation of the FPR is a necessary step in receptor internalization but that receptor phosphorylation, desensitization, and internalization are not required for chemotaxis.Neutrophils normally exist in a resting state as they circulate though the body. However, upon interaction with small molecules known as chemoattractants, they rapidly respond with endothelial adhesion followed by emigration from the vasculature and chemotaxis to the site of inflammation (1). Chemoattractants activate neutrophils through binding to heptahelical receptors located on the cell surface (2, 3). These receptors activate heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) 1 that initiate numerous elaborate signal transduction cascades, culminating in neutrophil migration and activation. Once at the site of inflammation, neutrophils respond with phagocytosis, superoxide generation, and the release of degradative enzymes (4). One of the most thoroughly studied chemoattractant receptors is the N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR), which recognizes short N-formylated oligopeptides of bacterial or mitochondrial origin (5-7).Leukocyte chemotaxis has been shown to be dependent on the binding of chemoattractants to their respective receptors (8,9). Following binding of the ligand and cellular activation, the receptors undergo desensitization and internalization (10, 11). Once internalized, ligand dissociates from the receptor and is degraded, whereupon the receptor is recycled to the cell surface for additional rounds of activation (10). Receptor recycling has been suggested to be essential for sustained cellular responses, such as cell chemotaxis (12, 13). Inhibition of receptor recycling through exposure to wheat germ agglutinin or by neuraminidase treatment was found to ...