Actin dynamics during phagocytosis

Bacteria, apoptotic cells and other particulate material are taken up throu gh phagocytosis, a conserved cellular function driven by actin polymerizati on. As reviewed here, small GT-Pases of the Rho family their activators and effectors control the local reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton under neath bound particles. Remarkably, the molecular actors and regulatory mech anisms involved during phagocytosis through the FcR or the CR3 receptors ar e very similar to those underlying the cytoskeletal rearrangements that tak e place at the leading edge of motile cell and at adhesion sites, respectiv ely.