Testicular Sertoli cells phagocytose apoptotic spermatogenic cells in a manner depending
on the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) expressed at the surface of the
latter cell type. Our previous studies have indicated that class B scavenger receptor type I
(SR-BI) is responsible for the PS-mediated phagocytosis by Sertoli cells. We examined here
whether SR-BI binds directly to PS. A cell line acquired the ability to bind to PS-exposing
apoptotic cells and to incorporate PS-containing liposomes when it was forced to express …