Immunofluorescent evidence for a transient association of actin with phagosomes in BHK 21 cells

The association of actin with latex phagosomes in BHK 21 cells, a normal fibroblastic cell line, was studied using fluoescent antibody to anti-DNase I. DNase I binds specifically to actin and in fixed, acetone-extracted BHK cells much of the immunofluorescent staining is restricted to microfilament bundles. A concentrated rim of actin specific fluorescence is observed about newly formed phagosomes. After long ingestion periods of any actin specific fluorescence. The data indicate that actin polymerization about phagosomes in fibroblasts is a transient event persisting for approximately 2 min.