Endosomal Targeting by the Cytoplasmic Tail of Membrane Immunoglobulin

Membrane-bound immunoglobulin (mlg) of the IgG, IgA, and IgE classes have conserved cytoplasmic tails. To investigate the function of these tails, a B cell line was transfected with truncated or mutated γ2a heavy chains. Transport to the endosomal compartment of antigen bound by the B cell antigen receptor did not occur in the absence of the cytoplasmic tail; and one or two mutations, respectively, in the Tyr-X-X-Met motif of the tail partially or completely interrupted the process. Experiments with chimeric antigen receptors confirmed these findings. Thus, a role for the cytoplasmic tail of mlg heavy chains in endosomal targeting of antigen is revealed.