Identification of the surfactant protein A receptor 210 as the unconventional myosin 18A

Mass spectrometric characterization of the surfactant protein A (SP-A) receptor 210 (SP-R210) led to the identification of myosin (Myo) XVIIIA and nonmuscle myosin IIA. Antibodies generated against the unique C-terminal tail of MyoXVIIIA revealed that MyoXVIIIA, MyoIIA, and SP-R210 have overlapping tissue distribution, all being highly expressed in myeloid cells, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and lung. Western blot analysis of COS-1 cells stably transfected with either MyoXVIIIA or MyoIIA indicated that SP-R210 antibodies recognize MyoXVIIIA. Furthermore, MyoXVIIIA but not MyoIIA localized to the surface of COS-1 cells, and most importantly, expression of MyoXVIIIA in COS-1 cells conferred SP-A binding. Western analysis of recombinant MyoXVIIIA domains expressed in bacteria mapped the epitopes of previously derived SP-R210 antibodies to the neck region of MyoXVIIIA. Antibodies raised against the neck domain of MyoXVIIIA blocked the binding of SP-A to macrophages. Together, these findings indicate that MyoXVIIIA constitutes a novel receptor for SP-A.