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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Assessing Retinal Microglial Phagocytic Function In Vivo Using a Flow Cytometry-based Assay
Published on: October 18, 2016
The Rag-Ragulator Complex Regulates Lysosome Function and Phagocytic Flux in Microglia
Kimberle Shen1, Harwin Sidik1, William S Talbot1
1Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Abstract:
Microglia are resident macrophages of the CNS that are essential for phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons and weak synapses during development. We show that RagA and Lamtor4, two components of the Rag-Ragulator complex, are essential regulators of lysosomes in microglia. In zebrafish lacking RagA function, microglia exhibit an expanded lysosomal compartment, but they are unable to properly digest apoptotic neuronal debris. Previous biochemical studies have placed the Rag-Ragulator complex upstream of mTORC1 activation in response to cellular nutrient availability. Nonetheless, RagA and mTOR mutant zebrafish have distinct phenotypes, indicating that the Rag-Ragulator complex has functions independent of mTOR signaling. Our analysis reveals an essential role of the Rag-Ragulator complex in proper lysosome function and phagocytic flux in microglia.
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