Voltage-gated proton channels maintain pH in human neutrophils during phagocytosis

What is it about?

We examine cytoplasmic pH of human neutrophils during phagocytosis using confocal imaging, SNARF-1, and SEER. Convention says Na/H antiport is the main pH regulator, but we find proton channels are also required. In fact, proton channels respond first! In HVCN1 KO mice, pHi drops during phagocytosis as much as with Zn2+, showing that the effects of Zn2+ are mainly due to inhibiting proton channels.

Featured Image