title: ABCA1 and the engulfment of apoptotic cells.
abstract: Programmed cell death is one of the major devices controlling cellular homeostasis. However, the generation of cell debris that follows the execution phase of apoptosis has to be backed up by their efficient removal by phagocyte. This highly dynamic process requires the concerted action of a number of surface molecules able to recognize early signals of membrane modifications on the apoptotic prey. Among those, the loss of phospholipid asymmetry and exposure of phosphatidylserine on the prey to be is determinant to engage phagocyte receptors and trigger the removal of corpses. A loss of membrane lipid asymmetry occurs also on the phagocyte determining its efficiency as an undertaker. Here we will discuss how, in our mind, the ATP binding cassette transporter, ABCA1, by its action on the arrangement of lipids at the phagocyte membrane, may actively promote their competence to engulf.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy, INSERM/CNRS et Université de La Méditerranée, Case 906, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamon
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chambenoit
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chimini
mesh_terms: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008322:Mammals; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins