Rab35 mediates transport of Cdc42 and Rac1 to the plasma membrane during phagocytosis

Phagocytosis of invading microbes requires dynamic rearrangement of the plasma membrane and its associated cytoskeletal actin network. The polarization of Cdc42 and Rac1 Rho GTPases to the site of plasma membrane protrusion is responsible for the remodeling of actin structures. However, the mechanism of Rho GTPase recruitment to these sites and the identities of accessory molecules involved in this process are not well understood. In this study, we uncovered several new components involved in innate immunity in Drosophila melanogaster. Our data demonstrate that Rab35 is a regulator of vesicle transport required specifically for phagocytosis. Moreover, recruitment of Cdc42 and Rac1 to the sites of filopodium and lamellipodium formation is Rab35 dependent and occurs by way of microtubule tracks. These results implicate Rab35 as the immune cell-specific regulator of vesicle transport within the actin-remodeling complex.