PtdIns3P binding to the PX domain of p40phox is a physiological signal in NADPH oxidase activation

The production of reactive oxygen species by the NADPH oxidase complex of phagocytes plays a critical role in our defence against bacterial and fungal infections. The PX domains of two oxidase components, p47 phox and p40 phox , are known to bind phosphoinositide products of PI3Ks but the physiological roles of these interactions are unclear. We have created mice which carry an R58A mutation in the PX domain of their p40 phox gene, which selectively prevents binding to PtdIns3P. p40 phoxR58A/R58A embryos do not develop normally but p40 phoxR58A /− mice are viable and neutrophils from these animals exhibit significantly reduced oxidase responses compared to those from their p40 phox +/− siblings (e.g. 60% reduced in response to phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus ). Wortmannin inhibition of the S. aureus oxidase response correlates with inhibition of phagosomal PtdIns3P accumulation and overlaps with the reduction in this response caused by the R58A mutation, suggesting PI3K regulation of this response is substantially dependent on PtdIns3P‐binding to p40 phox . p40 phoxR58A /− mice are significantly compromised in their ability to kill S. aureus in vivo , defining the physiological importance of this interaction.