LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) represents a non-canonical function of autophagy proteins in which ATG8 family proteins (LC3 and GABARAP proteins) are lipidated onto single-membrane phagosomes as particles are engulfed by phagocytic cells. LAP plays roles in innate immunity, inflammation and anti-cancer responses and is initiated upon phagocytosis of particles that stimulate Toll-like receptors (TLR), Fc-receptors, and upon engulfment of dying cells. However, how this molecular route is initiated remains elusive. Here we report that receptors that engage LAP enrich phosphatidylserine (PS) in the phagosome membrane via membrane-proximal domains that are necessary and sufficient for LAP to proceed. Subsequently, PS recruits the Rubicon-containing PI3-kinase complex to initiate the enzymatic cascade leading to LAP. Manipulation of plasma membrane PS content, PS-binding by Rubicon, or the PS-clustering domains of receptors prevents LAP and phagosome maturation. We found that pharmacologic inhibition of PS clustering promotes the ability of dendritic cells to induce anti-cancer responses to engulfed tumor cells. Therefore, the initiation of LAP represents a novel mechanism of PS-mediated signal transduction upon ligation of surface receptors.

Phosphatidylserine clustering by membrane receptors triggers LC3-associated phagocytosis.