epidermal-growth-factor and leupeptin

Several pathologies are associated with elevated levels of serum ferritin, for which growth inhibitory properties have been reported; however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly defined. Previously we have described cytotoxic properties of isoferritins released from primary hepatocytes in vitro, which induce apoptosis in an iron and oxidative stress-dependent mode. Here we show that this ferritin species stimulates endosome clustering and giant endosome formation in primary hepatocytes accompanied by enhanced lysosomal membrane permeability (LMP). In parallel, protein modification by lipid peroxidation-derived 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is strongly promoted by ferritin, the HNE-modified proteins (HNE-P) showing remarkable aggregation. Emphasizing the prooxidant context, GSH is rapidly depleted and the GSH/GSSG ratio is substantially declining in ferritin-treated cells. Furthermore, ferritin triggers a transient upregulation of macroautophagy which is abolished by iron chelation and apparently supports HNE-P clearance. Macroautophagy inhibition by 3-methyladenine strongly amplifies ferritin cytotoxicity in a time- and concentration-dependent mode, suggesting an important role of macroautophagy on cellular responses to ferritin endocytosis. Moreover, pointing at an involvement of lysosomal proteolysis, ferritin cytotoxicity and lysosome fragility are aggravated by the protease inhibitor leupeptin. In contrast, EGF which suppresses ferritin-induced cell death attenuates ferritin-mediated LMP. In conclusion, we propose that HNE-P accumulation, lysosome dysfunction, and macroautophagy stimulated by ferritin endocytosis provoke lysosomal "metastability" in primary hepatocytes which permits cell survival as long as in- and extrinsic determinants (e.g., antioxidant availability, damage repair, EGF signaling) keep the degree of lysosomal destabilization below cell death-inducing thresholds.

Topics: Adenine; Aldehydes; Animals; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Culture Media, Conditioned; Endocytosis; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Ferritins; Glutathione; Glutathione Disulfide; Hepatocytes; Intracellular Membranes; Iron Chelating Agents; Leupeptins; Liver; Lysosomes; Molecular Imaging; Permeability; Primary Cell Culture; Protease Inhibitors; Protein Aggregates; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a critical determinator of cell fate. Signalling from this receptor tyrosine kinase is spatially regulated by progression through the endocytic pathway, governing receptor half-life and accessibility to signalling proteins and phosphatases. Endocytosis of EGFR is required for interaction with the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B (ref. 1), which localizes to the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), raising the question of how PTP1B comes into contact with endosomal EGFR. We show that EGFR-PTP1B interaction occurs by means of direct membrane contacts between the perimeter membrane of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and the ER. The population of EGFR interacting with PTP1B is the same population that undergo ESCRT-mediated (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) sorting within MVBs, and PTP1B activity promotes the sequestration of EGFR on to MVB internal vesicles. Membrane contacts between endosomes and the ER form in both the presence and absence of stimulation by EGF. Thus membrane contacts between endosomes and the ER may represent a global mechanism for direct interaction between proteins on these two organelles.

Topics: Endoplasmic Reticulum; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport; Endosomes; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; HeLa Cells; Humans; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Microscopy, Electron; Multivesicular Bodies; Mutation; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1; RNA, Small Interfering; Transfection

To investigate how bone cells respond to mechanical stimuli, we subjected osteoblastic cells to fluid flow. We and others already reported that in a culture system of osteoblast-like cells, ERK1/2, Shc, and other proteins were tyrosine-phosphorylated by medium flow and the early response gene, egr-1 or c-fos mRNA, increased. These are the same as events found after stimulation by various growth factors. Moreover, because there were also reports suggesting that growth factor signaling is involved in the responses to mechanical stimuli, we examined the change in epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in the cells exposed to medium flow. The results demonstrated that EGF receptor protein increased after exposure to medium flow. This increase did not occur without serum in media, and the addition of EGF restored it. Furthermore, leupeptin blocked this increase. These results suggest that degradation of EGF-occupied EGF receptor by leupeptin-sensitive protease(s) in endosomes decreased with exposure to medium flow. This was presumed to participate, at least in part, in signaling of fluid flow.

Topics: Bone and Bones; Bone Development; Culture Media, Conditioned; Endosomes; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Leupeptins; Osteoblasts; Peptide Hydrolases; Physical Stimulation; Protease Inhibitors; Protein Transport; Signal Transduction; Stress, Mechanical; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Up-Regulation

The fate of newly synthesized human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env gp160 was examined in COS-1 cells. The results of morphological chase experiments involving cycloheximide demonstrated that gp160 was retained in the Golgi apparatus for longer than the half-life of the molecule. The degradation of gp160 was insensitive to both bafilomycin A1 and leupeptin (< 0.2 mM), which block lysosomal proteolysis. However, degradation was effectively suppressed by leupeptin at higher concentrations, maximally at 1.7 mM. Furthermore, undegraded gp160 was accumulated in the Golgi apparatus, but was not detected in lysosomes. These results indicate that in COS-1 cells gp160 is not degraded in lysosomes, but rather that degradation takes place in the Golgi apparatus.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cell Line; Chlorocebus aethiops; Endocytosis; Enzyme Inhibitors; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gene Products, env; Genes, env; Golgi Apparatus; HIV Envelope Protein gp160; HIV-1; Humans; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Macrolides; Protein Precursors; Recombinant Proteins; Time Factors; Transfection

A model system has been established in which PC12 cells are converted to neuronal-like cells that undergo transcription-dependent cell death following removal of NGF. Nineteen sublines of PC12 cells were tested to establish parameters for making cells dependent on NGF for survival. In most sublines, a relatively small percentage of cells become dependent on NGF for survival, and following removal of NGF, most of the cells begin proliferating in serum-containing medium. In several sublines, however, a significant percentage of cells die following removal of NGF. One of these sublines, PC6-3, can be grown under conditions in which 90% of the cells undergo transcription-dependent cell death following removal of NGF in either serum-free or serum-containing medium. Fourteen hours after removing NGF, 50% of the cells are committed to die, while initial morphological signs of cell death as determined by time-lapse videomicroscopy occur 2-6 hr later and include loss of neurites followed by a 1-3 hr period of active membrane "blebbing" and protrusions. Cell death can be blocked by the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, KCl, basic fibroblast growth factor, or dibutryl-cAMP, but not by epidermal growth factor, leupeptin, or the endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA). Removal of NGF activates an endonuclease that causes nucleosomal laddering of the DNA; however, endonuclease activity does not appear to be required for cell death. In agreement with previous studies (Batistatou and Greene, 1991; Rukenstein et al., 1991) demonstrating that naive PC12 cells undergo transcription-independent cell death when shifted into serum-free medium in the absence of growth factors, all cell lines tested except for one die when cultured in RPMI medium lacking growth factors. DNA fragmentation is a prominent feature of transcription-independent cell death, and death can be blocked with NGF, ATA, and dibutryl-cAMP but not with actinomycin D or KCl. The PC12 model system described here should be useful for identifying cell death genes and for characterizing cellular and molecular events in programmed neuronal cell death.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Aurintricarboxylic Acid; Bucladesine; Cell Division; Cell Survival; Dactinomycin; DNA, Neoplasm; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Kinetics; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Leupeptins; Nerve Growth Factors; Neurons; PC12 Cells; Time Factors; Transcription, Genetic; Video Recording

H2Oe12 is a mutant HeLa cell line selected for resistance to the toxicity of a chimeric protein conjugate composed of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the toxic A chain of ricin (RTA). ET-28 is a mutant KB cell line selected for resistance to the toxicity of a chimeric protein conjugate composed of EGF and Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). In this report we describe the presence or absence, in these mutants, of cross-resistance to the two toxic conjugates and the effects of ammonium chloride, leupeptin, and adenovirus cotreatments on toxin efficacies. ET-28 cells, the EGF-PE-resistant cells, are resistant to both EGF-PE and EGF-RTA. In contrast, H2Oe12 cells, the EGF-RTA-resistant cells, are as sensitive to EGF-PE toxicity as are their parent HeLa cells. Ammonium chloride cotreatment substantially reduces the resistance of H2Oe12 cells to EGF-RTA but has little or no effect on the resistance of ET-28 cells to either EGF-RTA or EGF-PE. Leupeptin has no effect on the toxicity of either chimeric conjugate on any of the four cell lines, effect on the toxicity of either chimeric conjugate on any of the four cell lines, despite its demonstrated ability to inhibit cellular degradation of EGF. In contrast, adenovirus cotreatment enhances the toxicity of EGF-RTA and EGF-PE on all cells tested, and completely nullifies the relative resistance of H2Oe12 and ET-28 cells to these toxic conjugates. H2Oe12 and ET-28 cells appear to be altered in distinct, possibly endosomal, functions.

Topics: Adenoviridae; ADP Ribose Transferases; Ammonium Chloride; Bacterial Toxins; Drug Resistance; Epidermal Growth Factor; Exotoxins; HeLa Cells; Humans; Immunotoxins; Leupeptins; Mutation; Phenotype; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A; Ricin; Virulence Factors

NIH-3T3 cells expressing the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were used in experiments to determine the fate of the EGF receptor in cells continuously exposed to EGF. EGF receptor was immunoprecipitated from cells labeled for 12 h with [35S] methionine in the absence or presence of 10 nM EGF. As expected, a single Mr = 170,000 polypeptide representing the mature EGF receptor was immune-precipitated from control cells. Surprisingly, immune precipitates from EGF-treated cells contained a prominent Mr = 125,000 receptor species, in addition to the Mr = 170,000 mature receptor. The Mr = 125,000 species was shown to be derived from the Mr = 170,000 form by pulse-chase experiments, in which the Mr = 170,000 receptor chased into the Mr = 125,000 form when EGF was included during the chase and by partial proteolysis. Both proteins became extensively phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in immune precipitate kinase assays. Treatment of immune precipitates with endoglycosidase F changed the apparent molecular weight of the Mr = 170,000 receptor to Mr = 130,000 and of the Mr = 125,000 form to Mr = 105,000, indicating that the appearance of the Mr = 125,000 protein was probably due to proteolysis. Antibody against the carboxyl terminus of the mature EGF receptor recognized the Mr = 125,000 protein, whereas antibody against the amino terminus did not. Incubation of cells with leupeptin prior to and during EGF addition inhibited processing to the Mr = 125,000 species. Methylamine and low temperature also inhibited the EGF-induced processing to the Mr = 125,000 form. These data suggest a possible role for proteolysis of the EGF receptor in receptor function.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Down-Regulation; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Methylamines; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Molecular Weight; Thermodynamics

We have examined the proteolytic processing of radiolabeled epidermal growth factor (EGF) in EGF growth-responsive human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) versus EGF nonresponsive human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL). Previous studies (Schaudies et al., 1985) have shown that both cell lines demonstrate similar binding affinities and numbers of binding sites, as well as similar rates of internalization and degradation of the bound, radiolabeled hormone. We have used nondenaturing electrophoresis to compare how these two cell lines process EGF at its carboxy terminus. EGF lacking either one [des-(53)-EGF] or six [des (48-53)-EGF] carboxy terminal amino acids could be distinguished by this method. Chloroquine or leupeptin were added to the incubation system in an attempt to accentuate potential differences in hormonal processing between the responsive and nonresponsive cell lines. In the absence of inhibitors, the responsive and nonresponsive cells generated similar distributions of processed forms of EGF after 30-minutes incubation. However, after 4-hours incubation in the constant presence of 125I-EGF, the electrophoretic profiles of extracted hormone were substantially different. The radiolabel within the responsive cells, as well as that released from them, migrated predominantly at the dye front, indicating complete degradation of EGF. In contrast, the majority of the radiolabel within the nonresponsive cells migrated as partially processed forms of hormone, while the released radiolabel migrated at the dye front. Addition of chloroquine to either cell line inhibited processing of EGF beyond removal of the carboxyl terminal arginine residue. Both intact 125I-EGF, and 125I-EGF lacking the carboxyl terminal arginine were released from chloroquine-treated cells in a ratio equal to that present in the intact cells. Incubations in leupeptin, proteolysis of EGF beyond the des-(48-53)-EGF was blocked; however, no large-molecular-weight species were released from the cells under these conditions.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Chloroquine; Epidermal Growth Factor; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Lung; Male; Mice; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Skin

Mitogen-regulated protein (MRP), a heterogeneously glycosylated mouse protein of Mr 34,000, is in the same protein family as prolactin, growth hormone, and placental lactogen. We show here that the level of translatable MRP mRNA is increased in response to fibroblast growth factor. Also, the amount of MRP secreted by 3T3 cells is modulated by the rate of degradation of newly synthesized MRP in the lysosomes. This is indicated by several results. First, agents that inhibit protein degradation by lysosomal proteases selectively increased by 2- to 6-fold the incorporation of [35S]methionine into MRP. These agents are ammonium chloride, the carboxylic ionophores, monensin and nigericin, and two thiol protease inhibitors, leupeptin and antipain. MRP that has already been secreted is not degraded by 3T3 cells. We examined the developmental appearance of MRP using immunofluorescence microscopy and found MRP localized in the mouse placenta between days 9 and 13 of development. The amount of MRP in the placenta drops suddenly after day 13. Whereas the appearance of MRP in the placenta follows the reported appearance of its mRNA, MRP disappears from the placenta more rapidly than its mRNA. On the basis of the results of our studies with cells in culture we propose that the production of MRP in the placenta is regulated similarly to prolactin. Thus we propose that the initial increase in MRP production in the placenta is due to pretranslational regulation by growth factors, and the later rapid decline is due to posttranslational regulation through degradation in the lysosomes.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Antipain; Cell Line; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Glycoproteins; Glycosylation; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Mice; Monensin; Placenta; Prolactin; RNA, Messenger

GH4C1 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary tumor cells, have high-affinity, functional receptors for the inhibitory hypothalamic peptide somatostatin (SRIF) and for epidermal growth factor (EGF). In this study we have examined the events that follow the initial binding of SRIF to its specific plasma membrane receptors in GH4C1 cells and have compared the processing of receptor-bound SRIF with that of EGF. When cells were incubated with [125I-Tyr1]SRIF at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37 degrees C, greater than 80% of the specifically bound peptide was removed by extraction with 0.2 M acetic acid, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 2.5. In contrast, the subcellular distribution of receptor-bound 125I-EGF was temperature dependent. Whereas greater than 95% of specifically bound 125I-EGF was removed by acid treatment after a 4 degrees C binding incubation, less than 10% was removed when the binding reaction was performed at 22 or 37 degrees C. In pulse-chase experiments, receptor-bound 125I-EGF was transferred from an acid-sensitive to an acid-resistant compartment with a half-time of 2 min at 37 degrees C. In contrast, the small amount of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF that was resistant to acid treatment did not increase during a 2-h chase incubation at 37 degrees C. Chromatographic analysis of the radioactivity released from cells during dissociation incubations at 37 degrees C showed that greater than 90% of prebound 125I-EGF was released as 125I-tyrosine, whereas prebound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF was released as a mixture of intact peptide (55%) and 125I-tyrosine (45%). Neither chloroquine (0.1 mM), ammonium chloride (20 mM), nor leupeptin (0.1 mg/ml) increased the amount of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF bound to cells at 37 degrees C. Furthermore, chloroquine and leupeptin did not alter the rate of dissociation or degradation of prebound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF. In contrast, these inhibitors increased the amount of cell-associated 125I-EGF during 37 degrees C binding incubations and decreased the subsequent rate of release of 125I-tyrosine. The results presented indicate that, as in other cell types, EGF underwent rapid receptor-mediated endocytosis in GH4C1 cells and was subsequently degraded in lysosomes. In contrast, SRIF remained at the cell surface for several hours although it elicits its biological effects within minutes. Furthermore, a constant fraction of the receptor-bound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF was degraded at the cell surface before dissociation. Therefore, after initial binding of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF and 125I-E

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Cell Compartmentation; Cell Line; Cell Membrane; Chloroquine; Cytosol; Endocytosis; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Pituitary Neoplasms; Protein Binding; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Somatostatin; Somatostatin

Substantial amounts of epidermal growth factor (EGF) are cleared from the circulation by hepatocytes via receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequently degraded within lysosomes. We have used a combined biochemical and morphological approach to examine the fate of the receptor after exposure to EGF. Polyclonal antibodies were prepared against the purified receptor and their specificity established by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting techniques. The EGF receptor was then localized by immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques and quantified on immunoblots. In untreated livers, EGF receptor was restricted to the sinusoidal and lateral surfaces of hepatocytes. 2-4 min after exposure of cells to EGF, the receptor was found in small vesicles (i.e., coated vesicles) as well as larger vesicles and tubules at the cell periphery. By 15 min the receptor was found in multivesicular endosomes located near bile canaliculi. Exposure of hepatocytes to EGF also resulted in a rapid loss of receptor protein from total liver homogenates and a decrease in its half-life from 8.7 h in control livers to 2.5 h. This EGF-induced loss of receptors was not observed when lysosomal proteinases were inhibited by leupeptin or when endosome/lysosome fusion was prevented by low temperature (16 degrees C). In the presence of leupeptin, receptor could be detected in structures identified as lysosomes using acid-phosphatase cytochemistry. All these results suggested rapid internalization of EGF receptors in response to ligand and degradation within lysosomes. However, four times more ligand was degraded at 8 h than the number of high-affinity (Kd of 8-15 nM) EGF-binding sites lost, suggesting either (a) high-affinity receptors were recycled, and/or (b) more than 300,000 receptors were available for EGF uptake. We identified and characterized a latent pool of approximately 300,000 low-affinity receptors (Kd approximately 200 nM) that could be separated on sucrose gradients from the plasma membrane pool of approximately 300,000 high-affinity receptors (Kd of 8-15 nM). Despite the differences in their binding affinities, the high- and low-affinity receptors appeared to be structurally identical and were both EGF-dependent protein kinases. In addition, the dynamics of the low-affinity receptors were consistent with a functional role in EGF uptake and delivery to lysosomes.

Topics: Animals; Cell Compartmentation; Endocytosis; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Leupeptins; Liver; Lysosomes; Molecular Weight; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Temperature

When normal human fibroblasts are brought to a steady state with 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF), greater than 90% of the radioactivity is intracellular. We investigated this material to determine whether the 125I-EGF is intact or degraded. Our results show that 125I-EGF is rapidly processed after internalization and can be resolved into four peaks by native gel electrophoresis. These different forms were isolated and tested for their ability to bind to cell-surface EGF receptors. The first processed form was fully capable of binding to EGF receptors, but the second processed form could not. The third form was a collection of small degradation products. We calculated that at steady state about 60% of internalized "125I-EGF" was in a form still able to bind to EGF receptors. We then investigated the ability of different reported inhibitors of EGF "degradation" to block the processing of EGF. Although inhibitors of cathepsin B (leupeptin, antipain, N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, and chymostatin) were able to inhibit the release of monoiodotyrosine from treated cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, they had little effect on the processing step that apparently inactivates 125I-EGF. In contrast, agents that raised intravesicular pH, such as methylamine and monensin, inhibited the initial steps in EGF processing as well as the later steps. Low temperatures inhibited the transfer of 125I-EGF to the lysosomes and inhibited the conversion of EGF to a nonbindable form, but had little effect on the initial processing. We conclude that the intracellular processing of EGF is a multistep process that is initiated prior to lysosomal fusion, involves cathepsin B activity, and requires an acidic pH. In addition, many of the protease inhibitors that have been utilized to investigate the role of EGF degradation in mitogenesis do not block the conversion of EGF to a form that is apparently unable to interact with its receptor.

Topics: Animals; Cathepsin B; Cathepsins; Cell Line; Cold Temperature; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Leupeptins; Methylamines; Mice; Models, Biological; Monensin; Receptors, Cell Surface

Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to cultures of A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells produces an increase in the rate of intracellular protein breakdown that cannot be accounted for by increased proteolysis in lysates from EGF-treated cells. In support of this observation, inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide does not reduce the EGF response in cell monolayers. On the other hand, inhibitors of lysosomal proteolytic function such as leupeptin, vinblastine and especially the weak base, ammonia, are able to block the ability of EGF to increase protein breakdown. Additional results suggest that the EGF effect is mediated via a stimulation of autophagy. First, the autophagocytosis inhibitor, 3-methyladenine, reduces the EGF response, and second, the ability of insulin to inhibit protein breakdown by preventing the formation of autophagic vacuoles is overcome by EGF. Moreover, the actions of inhibitors and competing hormones are similar to those reported for glucagon, a hormone known to increase autophagy. The EGF response on protein breakdown persists for at least 6 h after thorough washing of the A431 monolayers. This result contrasts with the rapid reversal of EGF effects in other cell lines. Examination of the fate of bound EGF in cells washed and incubated for 2 h at 37 degrees C shows that some 500-fold more EGF per mg protein is retained on the surface of A431 cells compared to AG2804-transformed fibroblasts, a difference which probably explains the unusual persistence of the EGF effect on protein breakdown.

Topics: Adenine; Ammonium Chloride; Autolysis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Line; Cycloheximide; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblasts; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Insulin; Leupeptins; Lung; Proteins; Time Factors; Vinblastine

We have used biochemical and morphological techniques to demonstrate that hepatocytes in the perfused liver bind, internalize, and degrade substantial amounts of murine epidermal growth factor (EGF) via a receptor-mediated process. Before ligand exposure, about 300,000 high-affinity receptors were detectable per cell, displayed no latency, and co-distributed with conventional plasma membrane markers. Cytochemical localization using EGF coupled to horseradish peroxidase (EGF-HRP) revealed that the receptors were distributed along the entire sinusoidal and lateral surfaces of hepatocytes. When saturating concentrations of EGF were perfused through a liver at 35 degrees C, ligand clearance was biphasic with a rapid primary phase of 20,000 molecules/min per cell that dramatically changed at 15-20 min to a slower secondary phase of 2,500 molecules/min per cell. During the primary phase of uptake, approximately 250,000 molecules of EGF and 80% of the total functional receptors were internalized into endocytic vesicles which could be separated from enzyme markers for plasma membranes and lysosomes on sucrose gradients. The ligand pathway was visualized cytochemically 2-25 min after EGF-HRP internalization and a rapid transport from endosomes at the periphery to those in the Golgi apparatus-lysosome region was observed (t 1/2 approximately equal to 7 min). However, no 125I-EGF degradation was detected for at least 20 min. Within 30 min after EGF addition, a steady state was reached which lasted up to 4 h such that (a) the rate of EGF clearance equaled the rate of ligand degradation (2,500 molecules/min per cell); (b) a constant pool of undegraded ligand was maintained in endosomes; and (c) the number of accessible (i.e., cell surface) receptors remained constant at 20% of initial values. By 4 h hepatocytes had internalized and degraded 3 and 2.3 times more EGF, respectively, than the initial number of available receptors, even in the presence of cycloheximide and without substantial loss of receptors. All of these results suggest that EGF receptors are internalized and that their rate of recycling to the surface from intracellular sites is governed by the rate of entry of ligand and/or receptor into lysosomes.

Topics: Animals; Cycloheximide; Endocytosis; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Horseradish Peroxidase; In Vitro Techniques; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Ligands; Liver; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Subcellular Fractions