Abstract
Proteins that contain Eps15 homology domains (EHDs) in their C-terminus are newly identified key regulators of endosomal membrane trafficking. Here, we show that D. discoideum contains a single EHD protein (referred to as EHD) that localizes to endosomal compartments and newly formed phagosomes. We provide the first evidence that EHD regulates phagosome maturation. Deletion of EHD results in defects in intraphagosomal proteolysis and acidification. These defects are linked to early delivery of lysosomal enzymes and fast retrieval of the vacuolar H+-ATPase in maturing phagosomes. We also demonstrate that EHD physically interacts with DymA. Our results indicate that EHD and DymA can associate independently with endomembranes, and yet they share identical kinetics in recruitment to phagosomes and release during phagosome maturation. Functional analysis of ehd−, dymA− and double dymA−ehd− knockout strains indicate that DymA and EHD play non-redundant and independent functions in phagosome maturation. Finally, we show that the absence of EHD leads to increased tubulation of endosomes, indicating that EHD participates in the scission of endosomal tubules, as reported for DymA.