Effect of phorbol myristate acetate on processing of formyl peptide receptors by human neutrophils

We examined the effect of phorbol myristate acetate on the ability of human neutrophils to process formyl peptide receptors. The receptor was affinity-labeled and its extracellular localization assessed over time, by cleavage of extracellular labeled receptor with papain. Neutrophils were capable of internalizing (and/or recycling) affinity labeled formyl peptide receptor in the absence of extracellular calcium. This phenomenon was dependent upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, suggesting a role for protein kinase C in this process.