G protein-coupled receptor–mediated membrane targeting of PLCγ2 is essential for neutrophil chemotaxis

Abstract

The current dogma is that chemoattractants G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activate β phospholipase C (PLCβ) while receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) activate γ phospholipase C (PLCγ). Here, we show that chemoattractant/GPCR-mediated membrane recruitment of PLCγ2 constitutes GPCR-mediated phospholipase C (PLC) signaling and is essential for neutrophil polarization and migration during chemotaxis. In response to a chemoattractant stimulation, cells lacking PLCγ2 (plcg2kd) displayed altered dynamics of diacylglycerol (DAG) production and calcium response; increased Ras/PI3K/Akt activation; elevated GSK3 phosphorylation and cofilin activation; impaired dynamics of actin polymerization; and consequently, defects in cell polarization and migration during chemotaxis. The study reveals a molecular mechanism of membrane targeting of PLCγ2 and the signaling pathways by which PLCγ2 plays an essential role in neutrophil chemotaxis.