Other researchers have shown that the ability
of microglia to engulf dead neurons depends on
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a ubiquitous energy source and signalling molecule that is
released from damaged cells.
MinE activates the enzymatic activity
of membrane - bound MinD, thus triggering the conversion
of its bound nucleotide
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to
adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which causes the
release of MinD - ADP into the cell cytoplasm.