monensin and leupeptin

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) act as trophic factors during development and regeneration of the nervous system. FGFs mediate their responses by activation of four types of FGF receptors (FGFR1-4). FGFR1 is expressed in adult sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and overexpression of FGFR1 enhances FGF-2-induced elongative axon growth in vitro. Ligand-induced activation of FGFR1 is followed by endocytosis and rapid lysosomal degradation. We previously reported that the lysosomal inhibitor leupeptin prevents degradation of FGFR1 and promotes FGF-2-induced elongative axon growth of DRG neurons overexpressing FGFR1. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of leupeptin on intracellular sorting of FGFR1 in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells and DRG neurons. Leupeptin increased colocalization of FGFR1 with lysosomes. Furthermore, leupeptin enhanced the cell surface localization of FGFR1 by increased receptor recycling and this effect was abolished by the recycling inhibitor monensin. In addition, a lysine mutant of FGFR1, which is preferentially recycled back to the cell surface, promoted elongative axon growth of DRG neurons similar to leupeptin. In contrast, the lysosomal inhibitor bafilomycin had no effect on surface localization of FGFR1, inhibited axon growth of DRG neurons and abolished the effects of leupeptin on receptor recycling. Together, our results strongly imply that increased recycling of FGFR1 promotes axon elongation, but not axonal branching, of adult DRG neurons in vitro.

Topics: Animals; Axons; Cell Membrane; Cell Movement; Endocytosis; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Ganglia, Spinal; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Macrolides; Monensin; PC12 Cells; Protein Transport; Rats; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; Sensory Receptor Cells; Signal Transduction

Endocytosis is considered as an important mechanism for regulating cell surface numbers and thereby signaling strength of G protein-coupled receptors. Currently, little is known about the endocytotic pathways of GABA(B) receptors in neurons. Here we report that GABA(B) receptors are constitutively internalized presumably via clathrin-dependent endocytosis in cultured cortical neurons. Colocalization of GABA(B) receptors with endosomal marker proteins indicated sorting of GABA(B) receptors from early endosomes to recycling endosomes and to lysosomes. Cell surface biotinylation experiments revealed fast constitutive recycling of GABA(B) receptors as the predominant pathway that was accelerated by the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen. Finally, degradation of GABA(B) receptors in lysosomes was demonstrated by their intracellular accumulation upon inhibition of lysosomal proteases and by blocking recycling which resulted in the redirection of receptors to lysosomes for degradation. These data imply rapid constitutive - agonist-accelerated - recycling of GABA(B) receptors presumably via clathrin-coated pits and their final targeting to lysosomes for degradation.

Topics: Animals; Baclofen; Biomarkers; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Cerebral Cortex; Clathrin; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Endocytosis; Endosomes; Female; GABA Agonists; GABA-B Receptor Agonists; Humans; Ionophores; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Monensin; Neurons; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, GABA-B

Previously we showed that the redox active Cu(2+) was much more effective than Cd(2+) at inducing reactive oxygen species ("ROS") formation in hepatocytes and furthermore "ROS" scavengers prevented Cu(2+)-induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity (Pourahmad and O'Brien, 2000). In the following it is shown that hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by Cu(2+), but not Cd(2+), was preceded by lysosomal membrane damage as demonstrated by acridine orange release. Cytotoxicity, "ROS" formation, and lipid peroxidation were also readily prevented by methylamine or chloroquine (lysosomotropic agents) or 3-methyladenine (an inhibitor of autophagy). Hepatocyte lysosomal proteolysis was also activated by Cu(2+), but not Cd(2+), as tyrosine was released from the hepatocytes and was prevented by leupeptin and pepstatin (lysosomal protease inhibitors). Cu(2+)-induced cytotoxicity was also prevented by leupeptin and pepstatin. A marked increase in Cu(2+)-induced hepatocyte toxicity also occurred if the lysosomal toxins gentamicin or aurothioglucose were added at the same time as the Cu(2+). Furthermore, destabilizing lysosomal membranes beforehand by preincubating the hepatocytes with gentamicin or aurothioglucose prevented Cu(2+)-induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity. It is proposed that Cu(2+)-induced cytotoxicity involves lysosomal damage that causes the release of cytotoxic digestive enzymes as a result of lysosomal membrane damage by "ROS" generated by lysosomal Cu(2+) redox cycling.

Topics: Acridine Orange; Adenine; Animals; Aurothioglucose; Cadmium; Cell Death; Chloroquine; Copper; Endopeptidases; Enzyme Activation; Gentamicins; Leupeptins; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Lysosomes; Male; Methylamines; Monensin; Oxidation-Reduction; Pepstatins; Protease Inhibitors; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reactive Oxygen Species

The effect of incubation temperature and ligand competition was tested for (125)I-ACTH binding to isolated rat lymphocytes. AlphaMSH but not Agouti-like peptide was an effective competitive inhibitor for cell surface binding at 4 degrees C. Cells incubated with (125)I-ACTH at 37 degrees C rapidly associated ligand for 10 min and then gradually lost the radioactivity with time. Cells incubated with (125)I-ACTH at 4 degrees C accumulated ligand to only about half the maximal amount when compared to cells incubated at 37 degrees C for 10 min. Temperatures below 20 degrees C and toxins that block lysosomal degradation blocked the loss of cell-associated radioactivity. These results suggest the lymphocyte ACTH receptor is the Melanocortin 5 receptor and the receptor is internalized by endocytosis to deliver ligand to the lysosome.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Agouti Signaling Protein; alpha-MSH; Animals; Binding, Competitive; Endocytosis; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Iodine Radioisotopes; Leupeptins; Lymphocytes; Lysosomes; Male; Monensin; Protein Binding; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Corticotropin; Receptors, Melanocortin; Spleen; Temperature

Internalization of the NK1 receptor (NK1R) and substance P was observed in cells transfected with cDNA encoding the rat NK1R by using anti-receptor antibodies and cyanine 3-labelled substance P (cy3-substance P). After incubation at 4 degrees C, NK1R immunoreactivity and cy3-substance P were confined to the plasma membrane. Within 3 min of incubation at 37 degrees C, NK1R immunoreactivity and cy3-substance P were internalized into small intracellular vesicles located beneath the plasma membrane. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled transferrin and cy3-substance P were internalized into the same vesicles, identifying them as early endosomes. After 60 min at 37 degrees C, NK1R immunoreactivity was detected in larger, perinuclear vesicles. Internalization of 125I-labelled substance P was studied by using an acid wash to dissociate cell-surface label from that which has been internalized. Binding reached equilibrium after incubation for 60 min at 4 degrees C with no detectable internalization. After 10 min incubation at 37 degrees C, 83.5 +/- 1.0% of specifically bound counts were internalized. Hyperosmolar sucrose and phenylarsine oxide, which are inhibitors of endocytosis, prevented internalization of 125I-labelled substance P and accumulation of NK1R immunoreactivity into endosomes. Acidotropic agents caused retention of 125I-labelled substance P within the cell and inhibited degradation of the internalized peptide. Continuous incubation of cells with substance P at 37 degrees C reduced 125I-substance P binding at the cell surface. Therefore, substance P and its receptor are internalized into early endosomes within minutes of binding, and internalized substance P is degraded. Internalization depletes NK1Rs from the cell surface and may down-regulate the response of a cell to substance P.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Arsenicals; Cell Line, Transformed; Chloroquine; Colchicine; Endocytosis; Epithelium; Hypertonic Solutions; Immune Sera; Immunohistochemistry; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Molecular Sequence Data; Monensin; Peptides; Rats; Receptors, Neurokinin-1; Recombinant Proteins; Substance P; Time Factors; Transfection

The host range of Trypanosoma brucei brucei is restricted by the cytolytic effects of human serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The lytic activity is caused by a minor subclass of human serum HDL called trypanosome lytic factor (TLF). TLF binds in the flagellar pocket to specific TLF-binding sites. Internalization and localization of TLF to a population of endocytic vesicles, and ultimately large lysosome-like vesicles, precedes lysis of T. b. brucei. The membranes of these large vesicles are disrupted by the accumulation of TLF particles. Inhibitor studies with lysosomotropic amines have shown these large vesicles to be acidic in nature and that prevention of their rupture spares the cells from TLF-mediated lysis. Furthermore, leupeptin inhibition suggests that a thioprotease may be involved in the mechanism of TLF-mediated lysis of T. b. brucei. Based on these results, we propose a lytic mechanism involving cell surface binding, endocytosis and lysosomal targeting. This is followed by lysosomal disruption and subsequent autodigestion of the cell.

Topics: Acids; Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Chloroquine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endocytosis; Flagella; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Immunohistochemistry; Intracellular Membranes; Leupeptins; Lipoproteins, HDL; Microscopy, Immunoelectron; Models, Biological; Monensin; Organelles; Protein Binding; Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the extracellular deposition in the brain and its blood vessels of insoluble aggregates of the amyloid beta peptide (A beta). This peptide is derived from a large integral membrane protein, the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP), by proteolytic processing. The A beta has previously been found only in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease or advanced aging. We describe here the finding that A beta is produced continuously by normal processing in tissue culture cells. A beta and closely related peptides were identified in the media of cells transfected with cDNAs coding for beta APP in a variety of cell lines and primary tissue cultured cells. The identity of these peptides was confirmed by epitope mapping and radiosequencing. Peptides of a molecular weight of approximately 3 and approximately 4 kDa are described. The 4 kDa range contains mostly the A beta and two related peptides starting N-terminal to the beginning of A beta. In the 3 kDa range, the majority of peptides start at the secretase site; in addition, two longer peptides were found starting at amino acid F(4) and E(11) of the A beta sequence. To identify the processing pathways which lead to the secretion of these peptides, we used a variety of drugs known to interfere with certain cell biological pathways. We conclude that lysosomes may not play a predominant role in the formation of 3 and 4 kDa peptides. We show that an acidic environment is necessary to create the N-terminus of the A beta and postulate that alternative secretory cleavage might result in the formation of the N-terminus of A beta and related peptides. This cleavage takes place either in the late Golgi, at the cell-surface or in early endosomes, but not in lysosomes. The N-terminus of most of the 3 kDa peptides is created by secretory cleavage on the cell surface or within late Golgi.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Ammonium Chloride; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Brefeldin A; Cell Line; Colchicine; Cyclopentanes; Golgi Apparatus; Humans; Kidney; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Molecular Sequence Data; Monensin; Nocodazole; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Transfection

We have analyzed the cellular processing pathways which produce the 4-kDa amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) and a 3-kDa derivative (p3) of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) found in conditioned media of tissue culture cells and in cerebrospinal fluid. Pulse-chase experiments reveal that both peptides are secreted in parallel with soluble beta APP (APPs); no precursor-product relation between A beta and p3 was found. The protease inhibitor leupeptin did not influence the production of either peptide. In contrast, the weak base ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of A beta production with less decrease in p3. A similar effect was observed using the monovalent ionophore monensin. Brefeldin A completely inhibited the generation of both peptides, indicating that proteases located in the endoplasmic reticulum or early Golgi are not sufficient for the production of the small peptides. Deletion of the beta APP cytoplasmic domain, which removes a consensus sequence that probably mediates reinternalization, caused an increase in secretion of both APPs and p3 and did not abolish A beta production. These observations suggest that completely mature beta APP within the late Golgi and/or at the cell surface is a prerequisite for A beta production but processing within the lysosome might not be directly required. p3 appears to derive from the 10-kDa C-terminal stub of beta APP following secretion of APPs.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Base Sequence; Brefeldin A; Cell Line; Cell Membrane; Codon; Colchicine; Cyclopentanes; Golgi Apparatus; Humans; Kidney; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Molecular Sequence Data; Molecular Weight; Monensin; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; Peptide Fragments; Sequence Deletion; Transfection

To further characterize the hepatic endocytic pathway of ferritin, the effects of inhibitors of intracellular dissociation of ligands (monensin 15 microM, chloroquine 400 microM), intracellular proteolysis (leupeptin 100 microM) and iron loading on the endocytosis of 125I-rat liver ferritin were studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. Cell associated radioactivity at 37 degrees C was decreased by 27% with chloroquine and 18% with monensin after 4 h. Cell associated radioactivity increased by 38% with leupeptin at 37 degrees C. Acid soluble radioactivity in the extracellular medium was significantly decreased at 4 h in the leupeptin group, which suggests that leupeptin inhibited the lysosomal degradation of the 125I-ferritin resulting in intracellular accumulation of ligand rather than increased uptake of ferritin. Iron loading of cells (5.4-fold increase in intracellular iron) did not significantly alter the binding or accumulation of 125I-ferritin. The characteristics of the endocytic pathway for ferritin are more similar to the asialoglycoprotein receptor than the transferrin receptor, and the hepatic uptake of ferritin is unaffected in this study by increasing the intracellular iron concentration.

Topics: Animals; Antimetabolites; Cell Survival; Chloroquine; Endocytosis; Ferritins; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iron; Leupeptins; Liver; Monensin; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Trypan Blue

The endocytosis and intracellular metabolism of radiolabeled anti-CD3 MoAb 64.1 by the malignant human T cell line HPB-ALL were studied using biochemical, morphological, electrophoretic, and chromatographic techniques. Biosynthetically labeled [3H]64.1 and externally radioiodinated 125I-64.1 were similarly internalized and degraded by tumor cells, with approximately 70% of the initially bound radioactivity being released to the culture supernatant as trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity in the first 24 hr of culture. Radiolabeled 64.1 was routed from the cell membrane to endosomes where initial proteolysis began and finally to lysosomes where terminal catabolism to single amino acids occurred. SDS-PAGE demonstrated four major intracellular metabolite species (46, 25, 15, and less than 10 kDa). Thin-layer chromatography demonstrated that greater than 95% of the trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity in culture supernatants was 125I-monoiodotyrosine, indicating that proteases, not deiodinases, were of primary importance in catabolism of 125I-64.1. In the presence of inhibitors of lysosomal function (leupeptin, monensin, and ammonium chloride), 125I-64.1 degradation was impeded, causing prolonged retention of radioactivity in the lysosomal compartment of cells. However, although the pace of catabolism was markedly diminished by these agents, no major changes in the sizes of intermediate metabolites generated were observed. Our results suggest that judicious administration of lysosomal inhibitors (e.g. chloroquine, verapamil, monensin) may significantly enhance retention of radioimmunoconjugates by lymphoid malignancies, improving radioimmunoscintigraphic and radioimmunotherapeutic efforts.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; Autoradiography; CD3 Complex; Endocytosis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell; Leupeptins; Molecular Weight; Monensin; Peptide Fragments; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; T-Lymphocytes; Tumor Cells, Cultured

When the human colon cancer cells HT-29 undergo enterocytic differentiation, they correctly process their N-glycans, whereas their undifferentiated counterpart are unable to process Man9-8-GlcNAc2 species, the natural substrate of alpha-mannosidase I. As this enzyme is fully active in both HT-29 cell populations, we hypothesize that N-glycoproteins are unable to reach the cis Golgi, the site where alpha-mannosidase I has been localized. We have demonstrated this point by using 1-deoxymannojirimycin, leupeptin, and monensin. In the presence of 1-deoxymannojirimycin, a specific inhibitor of alpha-mannosidase I, differentiated HT-29 cells, as expected, accumulate Man9-8-GlcNAc2 species, whereas in undifferentiated HT-29 cells these compounds continue to be rapidly degraded. In contrast, the use of leupeptin, a specific inhibitor of thiol and serine proteases, leads to the accumulation of these oligosaccharides in undifferentiated HT-29 cells. Monensin, a carboxylic ionophore that perturbs distal Golgi functions, is unable to stabilize these compounds. Therefore, we conclude that N-linked glycoproteins in undifferentiated HT-29 cells rapidly egress from the exocytic pathway to a leupeptin-sensitive degradative compartment without entering a monensin-sensitive compartment. These results favor the hypothesis that a direct pathway should exist between the rough endoplasmic reticulum and a leupeptin-sensitive degradative compartment in undifferentiated HT-29 cells. The emergence of this new pathway could explain why protein stability and N-glycan processing may vary as a function of the state of cell differentiation.

Topics: 1-Deoxynojirimycin; alpha-Mannosidase; Biological Transport; Cell Differentiation; Colon; Colonic Neoplasms; Glucosamine; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Leupeptins; Mannosidases; Membrane Glycoproteins; Monensin; Polysaccharides; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Rat Nb2 node lymphoma cells proliferate in response to lactogens, but the signal transduction mechanism involved remains unclear. Specific binding, internalization, and degradation of ovine PRL (oPRL) were examined under a variety of experimental conditions to characterize the metabolism of receptor-bound hormone by these cells. Stationary-phase cells were incubated with [125I]oPRL in Fischer's medium containing horse serum. Cell suspensions were centrifuged, and the cell pellets were assayed to determine specific cell-associated radioactivity. Internalized ligand was measured by exposing the cells to an acidic buffer before centrifugation to dissociate hormone from plasma membrane receptors, and cell-surface ligand was calculated by subtracting internalized hormone from the total [125I]oPRL bound by the cells. Hormone degradation was assessed by measuring the radioactivity in an acid-soluble fraction prepared from the incubation medium. Endocytosis of [125I]oPRL was observed within 30 min at 37 C, and the internalized component accounted for approximately 50% of the bound hormone under steady-state conditions. Hormone degradation was detectable within 1 h at 37 C and continued at a relatively linear rate thereafter; by 4 h, 8% of the added [125I]oPRL was acid soluble. Chloroquine (0.2 mM), methylamine (20 mM) and monensin (20 microM) prevented [125I]oPRL degradation and elevated both cell-surface and intracellular hormone 2-fold during a 4-h incubation. Leupeptin (0.2 mM) decreased degradation by only 15% under the same conditions. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 20 nM), a comitogen for lactogen-stimulated Nb2 cells, increased cell-surface hormone by 20% and decreased intracellular hormone by a corresponding amount 1 h after administration. Calcium ionophore A23187 (1 microM) produced similar changes, and a synergistic effect was noted when cells were exposed to both agents for 4 h. Amiloride (125 microM), an inhibitor of Nb2 cell mitogenesis, decreased [125I]oPRL degradation by 25% during a 4-h incubation. This response was abolished when the cells were exposed simultaneously to PMA. These experiments demonstrate that receptor-bound oPRL is rapidly internalized and extensively degraded via the endosome-lysosome pathway when Nb2 cells are maintained at 37 C. The inhibitory effect of PMA on oPRL internalization may help to explain the comitogenic action of this phorbol on Nb2 cells. Since amiloride also produced major changes in oPRL metabolism, pos

Topics: Amiloride; Animals; Calcimycin; Cell Division; Cell Membrane; Chloroquine; Endocytosis; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Lymphoma; Methylamines; Mitosis; Monensin; Prolactin; Rats; Receptors, Prolactin; Sheep; Signal Transduction; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes triglyceride in plasma lipoprotein primarily while bound to vascular endothelial cells. LPL metabolism by cultured endothelial cells was studied. Purified radioiodinated bovine LPL bound to porcine aortic endothelial cells at 4 degrees C with an association constant of 0.18 x 10(7) m-1. Analysis of the time course of LPL dissociation from endothelial cells at 4 degrees C yielded a dissociation rate constant of 3.9 x 10(-6)s-1. After 1 h at 37 degrees C, 28% of the LPL initially bound to the cell surface was no longer releasable by heparin or trypsin treatments, suggesting that LPL was internalized by the cells. Addition of heparin to the medium or pretreatment of the cells with heparinase markedly reduced the amount of LPL internalized, establishing a requirement for cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the process. When cells containing internalized LPL were incubated at 37 degrees C, a time-dependent increase in the amount of LPL in the medium and a corresponding decrease in LPL associated with the cells was found. This suggested that internalized LPL was released back into the medium. The catalytic activity, molecular size, and heparin-binding characteristics of the released LPL was similar to native LPL. Addition of either heparin, heparinase, or excess unlabeled LPL to prevent the rebinding of released 125I-LPL to the cell surface increased the amount of 125I-LPL present in the medium, suggesting that there is a process of recycling of 125I-LPL bound to the cell surface. Studies examining the effect of pH on dissociation of LPL from its binding site showed less dissociation of cell surface bound LPL at pH 5.5 compared with pH 7.4 and 8.5. These results suggest that even at acidic pH as in endocytotic vesicles, LPL remains bound to proteoglycans and this may facilitate the recycling of internalized LPL molecules.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Biological Transport; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Chloroquine; Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; Cytochalasin B; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Glycosaminoglycans; Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; Heparin; Heparin Lyase; Heparitin Sulfate; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Lipoprotein Lipase; Milk; Monensin; Polysaccharide-Lyases; Protein Binding; Proteoglycans; Swine

Studies were conducted to address the role(s) of antigen (Ag) processing/presentation in channel catfish immune responses. Vigorous and specific secondary in vitro proliferative and antibody (Ab) responses were obtained to keyhole limpet and Limulus polyphemus hemocyanins with peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from catfish previously primed in vivo with Ag. In addition, such antigen-specific in vitro proliferative and Ab responses were efficiently elicited by antigen-pulsed and subsequently paraformaldehyde-fixed autologous PBL used as putative antigen-presenting cells (APC) but not by APC fixed prior to Ag pulsing. Treatment of these putative APC with lysosomotropic agents, protease inhibitors, or the ionophore monensin prior to or during pulsing with Ag significantly inhibited both in vitro responses. Furthermore, the use of radiolabeled protein indicated that both untreated and inhibitor-treated PBL but not erythrocytes take up Ag; however, only untreated PBL were able to degrade Ag. Immune restriction was indicated by the use of allogeneic PBL as APC in that only strong MLRs were generated with no detectable antibodies produced in vitro. Finally, the employment of isolated leukocyte subpopulations demonstrated that both catfish B (sIg+) lymphocytes and monocytes were efficient Ag presentors.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Antibody Formation; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Antigens; B-Lymphocytes; Chloroquine; Fixatives; Hemocyanins; Ictaluridae; In Vitro Techniques; Leupeptins; Lymphocyte Activation; Monensin; Monocytes; Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride

The human asialoglycoprotein receptor is a heterooligomer of the two homologous subunits H1 and H2. As occurs for other oligomeric receptors, not all of the newly made subunits are assembled in the RER into oligomers and some of each chain is degraded. We studied the degradation of the unassembled H2 subunit in fibroblasts that only express H2 (45,000 mol wt) and degrade all of it. After a 30 min lag, H2 is degraded with a half-life of 30 min. We identified a 35-kD intermediate in H2 degradation; it is the COOH-terminal, exoplasmic domain of H2. After a 90-min chase, all remaining intact H2 and the 35-kD fragment were endoglycosidase H sensitive, suggesting that the cleavage generating the 35-kD intermediate occurs without translocation to the medial Golgi compartment. Treatment of cells with leupeptin, chloroquine, or NH4Cl did not affect H2 degradation. Monensin slowed but did not block degradation. Incubation at 18-20 degrees C slowed the degradation dramatically and caused an increase in intracellular H2, suggesting that a membrane trafficking event occurs before H2 is degraded. Immunofluorescence microscopy of cells with or without an 18 degrees C preincubation showed a colocalization of H2 with the ER and not with the Golgi complex. We conclude that H2 is not degraded in lysosomes and never reaches the medial Golgi compartment in an intact form, but rather degradation is initiated in a pre-Golgi compartment, possibly part of the ER. The 35-kD fragment of H2 may define an initial proteolytic cleavage in the ER.

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Animals; Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; Cell Line; Chloroquine; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Golgi Apparatus; Half-Life; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Mannosyl-Glycoprotein Endo-beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Molecular Weight; Monensin; Receptors, Immunologic; Temperature

We have expressed the hybrid protein, GHG3, in baby hamster kidney cells to study protein turnover. GHG3 contains the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of vesicular stomatitis virus G protein linked to the C-terminus rat growth hormone. Turnover of GHG3 was prevented by lysosomal inhibitors (leupeptin, chloroquine, primaquine or monensin), while the accumulated GHG3 was localized to intracellular vesicles, results indicating that degradation occurred in lysosomes. The kinetics of degradation at 34 degrees C were determined in pulse-chase studies of metabolically labeled cells. After a lag period of 1 h, degradation was rapid (t1/2 = 1.25 h). The fate of GHG3 during the lag period was determined by immunofluorescence. We detected GHG3 on the cell surface when growth hormone antiserum was added to the growth medium 90 min prior to fixation and staining. No staining was observed if protein synthesis was inhibited with cycloheximide 90 min prior to the addition of growth hormone antiserum, a result indicating that GHG3 was rapidly removed from the cell surface. Unless the cells were pretreated with cycloheximide, antiserum was also detected in intracellular vesicles, which showed that GHG3 was endocytosed. These data indicate that a pool of GHG3 is transported rapidly to the cell surface, endocytosed and with little or no recycling directed to lysosomes for degradation.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Chloroquine; Cricetinae; Endocytosis; Growth Hormone; Kidney; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Membrane Proteins; Monensin; Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus; Viral Proteins

We have shown that degradation of asialo-orosomucoid (ASOR) in isolated rat hepatocytes occurs by two different intracellular pathways [Clarke, Oka & Weigel (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 17384-17392] mediated by two subpopulations of cell surface galactosyl (Gal) receptors, designated State 1 or State 2 receptors. In the present study, several inhibitors were tested for their effects on ligand degradation by the State 1 or State 2 pathway. Leupeptin, monensin and chloroquine completely inhibited degradation of 125I-labelled ASOR in both pathways. Dose-response studies showed, however, that the State 2 pathway was more sensitive to leupeptin or monensin than the State 1 pathway. No differences were observed with chloroquine. For example, the onset of inhibition in the State 2 and State 1 pathways occurred at about 0.05 and 0.3 microM-leupeptin respectively, a 6-fold difference. At 3.5 microM-monensin, 125I-ASOR degradation in the State 2 pathway was completely blocked, whereas degradation in the State 1 pathway was essentially unaffected. Colchicine was observed to give the largest differential sensitivity between the two pathways. The State 2 degradation pathway was about 30-fold more sensitive to colchicine than the State 1 pathway. Lumicolchicine had no affect. The onset of inhibition of the rate of 125I-ASOR degradation in the State 2 and State 1 pathways occurred at approximately 0.1 and 3.0 microM-colchicine respectively. At very high concentrations (greater than 0.1 mM), the State 1 pathway could be completely inhibited. We conclude that intracellular 125I-ASOR processing or delivery to degradative compartments in both the State 1 and State 2 Gal receptor pathways requires low pH. Ligand delivery to the degradative compartment does not require microtubules in the State 1 pathway, consistent with the very rapid onset of degradation in this pathway. The State 2 degradation pathway does require microtubules.

Topics: Animals; Asialoglycoproteins; Cells, Cultured; Chloroquine; Colchicine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Galactose; Leupeptins; Liver; Male; Monensin; Oligopeptides; Orosomucoid; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Cell Surface

Topics: Cell Line; Glycoproteins; HLA-D Antigens; Humans; Leupeptins; Molecular Structure; Molecular Weight; Monensin; Peptides; Protein Binding; Protein Conformation

Cholesterol esterification was examined in cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with I-cell disease and pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy by incubating cells pretreated without fetal calf serum for 48h, with (14C) cholesterol for 24h. Impaired cholesterol esterification was found in these cells and free cholesterol was accumulated in plasma membrane and Golgi fractions. This impairment was also induced in control cells by adding leupeptin (20 micrograms/ml) or monensin (2 micrograms/ml). These findings suggest the importance of the role of lysosomes for esterification of cholesterol and give a hint as to the basic defect in type C Niemann-Pick disease.

Topics: Autoradiography; Cell Fractionation; Cells, Cultured; Cholesterol Esters; Esterification; Fibroblasts; Humans; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Monensin; Mucolipidoses; Niemann-Pick Diseases

A study of insulin-receptor internalization and recycling was undertaken in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Receptors were quantitated by measuring 125I-insulin binding to partially purified soluble receptor preparations from untreated cells (total receptors) and trypsinized cells (intracellular receptors). In resting HepG2 cells, exposure to insulin results in internalization of insulin receptors, the rate and extent of which is dependent on the insulin concentration. However, receptors do not accumulate inside the cell in proportion to the higher rates of internalization at high concentrations of insulin. This lack of accumulation is explained by much higher recycling rates after exposure to high concentrations of insulin. Similar results were noted for primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. These results imply qualitatively different fates for receptors internalized after exposure to different concentrations of insulin. To further investigate the possibility of different pathways for insulin-receptor internalization and processing, cells in low (1 ng/ml) or high (100 ng/ml) concentrations of insulin were exposed to drugs or treatments known to affect receptor metabolism. Hypotonic shock and hypokalemia, which arrest coated-pit formation, blocked internalization of insulin and insulin receptors at low concentrations of insulin but allowed internalization in response to high concentrations of insulin. The lysosomotropic drugs monensin and chloroquine caused intracellular accumulation of insulin and its receptors internalized at low concentrations of insulin but had a relatively smaller effect on receptors internalized at high concentrations of insulin. All internalization is blocked by 2,4-dinitrophenol. We conclude that high doses of insulin lead to insulin-receptor internalization and recycling through a pathway that is functionally distinct from the pathway taken by receptors internalized by low (physiologic) concentrations of insulin. The pharmacologic experiments raise the possibility that the high-dose pathway, unlike the low-dose pathway, may proceed independently of coated pits and endosomal acidification.

Topics: 2,4-Dinitrophenol; Animals; Biological Transport; Biotransformation; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cells, Cultured; Chloroquine; Coated Pits, Cell-Membrane; Dinitrophenols; Humans; Insulin; Leupeptins; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Monensin; Osmolar Concentration; Potassium; Rats; Receptor, Insulin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

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

Mycoplasma arthritidis produces in culture a polyclonal mitogen which is active for murine and human T lymphocytes in the presence of accessory cells (AC). We studied the requirements for processing and presentation by AC of Mycoplasma arthritidis supernatant (MAS) mitogen to human T cells. As inhibitors of AC processing, several agents were used which inhibit lysosomal function: the weak bases chloroquine and NH4Cl, the cationic ionophore monensin and the competitive protease inhibitor leupeptin. When these agents were used to inhibit processing by presenting cells and washed out before T cells were added to culture, they inhibited lymphocyte activation and, therefore, we assume that they interfered with the presentation of the mitogen. Thus, if MAS requires a processing step, it appears to involve lysosomal proteolysis which can be blocked in vitro.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Chloroquine; Formaldehyde; Leupeptins; Lymphocyte Activation; Lysosomes; Macrophages; Mitogens; Monensin; Mycoplasma; Polymers; T-Lymphocytes

Human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL) incubated with the protease inhibitor leupeptin accumulate complexes of class II HLA antigens with a series of Mr 21,000-23,000 basic proteins termed leupeptin-induced proteins (LIP). The appearance of class II antigen-associated LIP coincides with the disappearance of class II antigen-associated invariant (I) chain. Glycopeptides generated by in vitro proteolysis of LIP and I chain using Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease are identical as determined by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. These results suggest that LIP is a proteolytic product derived from the I chain and are consistent with the view that further in vivo proteolysis of LIP by a leupeptin-sensitive enzyme normally facilitates its release from class II antigens. Incubation of B-LCL with monensin, which traps class II antigens and associated I chain in the Golgi apparatus, or chloroquine, which neutralizes intracellular acidic compartments and inhibits I-chain dissociation, blocks the leupeptin-induced appearance of LIP. Treatment of LIP with endoglycosidases F and H shows that both of its N-linked oligosaccharides are in the complex form, indicating that proteolysis of class II antigen-associated I chain to generate LIP occurs in a late-Golgi or post-Golgi compartment. The compartment in which these proteolytic events occur may be identical to the site in macrophages and B lymphocytes where foreign antigens are processed and interact with class II HLA molecules.

Topics: Biological Transport; Chloroquine; HLA-D Antigens; Humans; Leupeptins; Molecular Weight; Monensin; Peptide Hydrolases; Protein Processing, Post-Translational

The precursor of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase accumulates in the cytosol of cultured chicken embryo fibroblasts if its import into mitochondria is inhibited by an uncoupling agent. However, its accumulation is limited by degradation with a half-life of only approximately 5 min (Jaussi, R., Sonderegger, P., Flückiger, J., and Christen, P. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 13334-13340). The aim of the present study was the characterization of the proteolytic system(s) responsible for this very rapid intracellular degradation. On depleting chicken embryo fibroblasts of ATP, the rate of degradation of the precursor was lowered by approximately 70%. Chicken embryo fibroblasts depleted of divalent metal ions showed a degradative activity of 10% of the initial value. Reconstitution of these cells with Mg2+ and Ca2+ increased the degradative activity from 10 to 107 and 24%, respectively. Thiol reagents almost completely prevented the degradation, whereas specific peptide inhibitors of cysteine proteases or inhibitors of intralysosomal proteolysis decreased the rate of degradation by only approximately 30%. Inhibitors of serine proteases had little effect. No rapid degradation of the precursor was observed in crude extracts of chicken embryo fibroblasts. The data indicate that the bulk of the precursor accumulated under conditions of import block is degraded by one or several cytosolic proteases dependent on ATP, Mg2+, and thiol groups of unknown localization, conceivably by proteolytic enzymes identical with or similar to one of the high molecular weight cytosolic proteases (Waxman, L., Fagan, J.M., Tanaka, K., and Goldberg, A. L. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 11994-12000). The rest of the precursor appears to be degraded by lysosomes.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Antipain; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Chick Embryo; Cytosol; Enzyme Precursors; Fibroblasts; Half-Life; Leupeptins; Methylamines; Mitochondria; Monensin

The biosynthesis and maturation of the human intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH; EC 3.2.1.23-3.2.1.62) has been studied in cultured intestinal biopsies and mucosal explants. Short time pulse labelling revealed on high mannose intermediate of Mr 215,000 which was converted upon endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (endo-H) digestion to a polypeptide of Mr 200,000. The brush border form of LPH was revealed after longer pulse periods and has Mr 160,000. It possesses mainly complex oligosaccharide chains and, owing to its partial endo-H sensitivity, at least one chain of the high mannose type. Leupeptin partially inhibited the appearance of the Mr-160,000 polypeptide. Monensin treatment of biopsies resulted in the modification of the Mr-160,000 species to the Mr-140,000 molecule, which was endo-H sensitive. Pulse-chase analysis indicated a slow post-translational processing of the high mannose precursor (Mr 215,000) to yield the mature brush-border form (Mr 160,000) of LPH. Our results further indicate that LPH is synthesized as a single polypeptide precursor which is intracellularly cleaved to yield the mature brush border of LPH. The data presented suggest that this cleavage occurs during the translocation of the molecule across the Golgi complex.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; beta-Galactosidase; Chemical Precipitation; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme Precursors; Epithelium; Galactosidases; Glucosidases; Humans; Intestine, Small; Isoenzymes; Lactase-Phlorizin Hydrolase; Leupeptins; Monensin; Multienzyme Complexes; Protein Biosynthesis; Tunicamycin

Processing of circulating polypeptide hormones by vascular endothelial cells may be critical to hormone transport from the vascular lumen to tissue sites of action. The comparative processing of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF II) and insulin by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells was examined. These cells possess high-affinity receptors for IGF II and insulin, as shown by competitive-binding studies. At 37 degrees C, internalization determined by both resistance to an acid wash and electron microscopy was rapid with 50-70% of bound IGF II and insulin internalized at 60 min. Subsequently, between 70 and 75% of the internalized hormones were released from the cells within 60 min. Although most of both hormones were released intact, degradation of IGF II was greater than that of insulin by two- to threefold, as assessed by G-50 chromatography and trichloroacetic acid precipitability. Leupeptin, a specific lysosomal protease inhibitor, increased cell-associated 125I-labeled IGF II by 53.0 +/- 6.0% and decreased degradation by 55%; however, it was without effect on 125I-labeled insulin. Chloroquine and monensin, which act at the lysosomes and at other sites, increased both cell-associated IGF II and insulin and decreased the degradation of both hormones. The increases in cell-associated 125I-IGF II produced by chloroquine (42.0 +/- 7.4%) and monensin (78.3 +/- 8.5%) were quantitatively similar to the decreases in IGF II degradation caused by the agents; however, the increase in cell-associated insulin was approximately threefold greater than could be accounted for simply by decreased insulin degradation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Biological Transport; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Chloroquine; Endothelium; Insulin; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Models, Biological; Monensin; Receptor, Insulin; Receptors, Somatomedin; Somatomedins

A 52K glycoprotein is secreted by human breast cancer cells in culture after estrogen stimulation. Using monoclonal antibodies, we have quantitated and characterized the corresponding proteins of the cell compartment. Using pulse-chase experiments, we have shown that about 40% of the 52K protein is secreted, the majority being successively processed into a 48K and a 34K protein. This last protein is very stable. The processing is inhibited by lysosomotropic agents and leupeptin, suggesting that it occurs in acidic vesicles, such as lysosomes or endosomes. Estradiol increased the intracellular level of immunoreactive 52K related proteins by 4-fold. Its effect is, however, more obvious in the medium, since there is a constitutive level in the cell. The stimulatory effects of estradiol on [3H]mannose and [35S]methionine incorporation into these proteins were similar and the endoglycosydase H sensitivity of the proteins was not altered, suggesting that estradiol did not modulate the glycosylation step. Antiestrogens did not stimulate synthesis and glycosylation of the 52K related proteins. Estradiol also increased the stability of the 52K precursor as well as that of total proteins. We conclude that the secreted 52K protein is the precursor of two cellular proteins of 48K and 34K. Estradiol stimulates both the intracellular accumulation of these proteins and the secretion of the precursor.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Compartmentation; Estradiol; Estrogen Antagonists; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Glycosylation; Humans; Leupeptins; Molecular Weight; Monensin; Neoplasm Proteins; Protein Processing, Post-Translational

Incubation of adipocytes with 125I-insulin plus leupeptin or monensin, but not chloroquine, resulted in the appearance of a novel peak of 125I-insulin (modal density about 1.20 g/ml) on density gradient centrifugation; the appearance of the peak depended on the presence of specific insulin receptors on the cell surface. The fractions comprising this peak contained vesicles, probably originating from the Golgi apparatus, and dit not appear to be contaminated with lysosomes, mitochondria or plasma membrane. Entrapment of insulin in these vesicles per se did not prevent the activation of glucose transport, acetyl-CoA carboxylase or pyruvate dehydrogenase by insulin.

Topics: Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase; Adipose Tissue; Animals; Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Deoxyglucose; Enzyme Activation; Female; Furans; Insulin; Leupeptins; Microscopy, Electron; Monensin; Oligopeptides; Organoids; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

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

The intracellular transport and degradation of asialoorosomucoid (AOM) in isolated rat hepatocytes was studied by means of subcellular fractionation in Nycodenz gradients. The asialoglycoprotein was labelled by covalent attachment of a radioiodinated tyramine-cellobiose adduct ( [125I]TC) which leads to labelled degradation products being trapped intracellularly and thus serving as markers for the degradative organelles. The ligand was initially (1 min) in a slowly sedimenting (small) vesicle and subsequently in larger endosomes. Acid-soluble, radioactive degradation products were first found in a relatively light lysosome whose distribution coincided in the gradient with that of the larger endosome. Later (30 min) degradation products were found in denser lysosomes which banded in the same region of the gradient as the lysosomal enzyme, beta-acetylglucosaminidase. Colchicine, monensin and leupeptin all inhibited degradation of [125I]tyramine-cellobiose asialoorosomucoid ( [125I]TC-AOM) and reduced the formation of degradation products in both the light and the dense lysosomes. In presence of monensin and colchicine no undegraded ligand was seen in the dense lysosome, suggesting that uptake in these vesicles was inhibited. Leupeptin allowed accumulation of undegraded ligand in the dense lysosome. Therefore, transfer from light to dense lysosomes is not dependent on degradation as such. In the presence of monensin two peaks of undegraded ligand were found in the gradients. It seems possible that in the monensin-sensitive endosomes, dissociation of the ligand-receptor complex is inhibited, allowing ligand to recycle with the receptors in small vesicles.

Topics: Animals; Asialoglycoproteins; Cell Fractionation; Cellobiose; Cells, Cultured; Colchicine; Depression, Chemical; Leupeptins; Liver; Lysosomes; Male; Monensin; Orosomucoid; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Tyramine

Diacytosis of 125I-asialoorosomucoid by rat hepatocytes was studied by preincubating the cells with the labelled ligand at 37 degrees C for 30 min or 18 degrees C for 2 h, washing free of cell surface receptor-bound tracer at 4 degrees C and then reincubating at 37 degrees C. The cells preloaded at 37 degrees C released a maximum of 18% of the total intracellular ligand as undegraded molecules after 1 h of incubation with an apparent first-order rate constant of 0.018 min-1 (t1/2 = 39 min). When the preloaded cells were incubated in the presence of 100 micrograms/ml unlabelled asialoorosomucoid or 5 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, the amount of the released ligand increased to 32 and 37%, respectively, without apparent change in kinetics, indicating that these agents prevented rebinding of the released ligand. In the presence of 5 microM colchicine, 20 microM cytochalasin B, 20 microM chloroquine, 10 mM NH4Cl, 10 microM monensin or 20 microM leupeptin, degradation of the preloaded ligand was inhibited, whereas the release of the ligand was either slightly increased or unchanged. Similar effects of leupeptin, colchicine and asialoorosomucoid were observed with cells preloaded at 18 degrees C. These results indicate that diacytosis of 125I-asialoorosomucoid occurs from a prelysosomal compartment via a route insensitive to inhibition by the inhibitors of ligand degradation.

Topics: Animals; Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; Asialoglycoproteins; Cells, Cultured; Chloroquine; Colchicine; Cold Temperature; Endocytosis; Endosomes; Exocytosis; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Liver; Lysosomes; Monensin; Rats; Receptors, Immunologic

We studied the difference in requirements for processing and presentation to a single T-cell clone of four different forms of the same epitope of sperm whale myoglobin--namely, on the native protein, on two conformationally altered forms of the protein, or as a 22-residue antigenic peptide fragment. The T-cell clone was I-Ed-restricted and specific for an epitope on the CNBr fragment 132-153 involving Lys-140. As inhibitors of macrophage processing of antigen, we used several agents that inhibit lysosomal function: the weak bases chloroquine and NH4Cl, the cationic ionophore monensin, and the competitive protease inhibitor leupeptin. When these agents were used to inhibit processing of antigen by presenting cells and then washed out before T cells were added to culture, they inhibited the presentation of native antigen but not of fragment 132-153. To our surprise, the intact but denatured form, S-methylmyoglobin, behaved like the fragment not like the native protein. Apomyoglobin was intermediate in susceptibility to inhibition. Thus, native myoglobin requires a processing step that appears to involve lysosomal proteolysis, which is not required by fragment 132-153 or the denatured unfolded forms. For an antigen the size of myoglobin (Mr 17,800), it appears that unfolding of the native conformation, rather than further reduction in size, is the critical parameter determining the need for processing. Since a major difference between native myoglobin and the other forms is the greater accessibility in the latter of sites, such as hydrophobic residues, buried in the native protein, we propose that processing may be necessary to expose these sites, perhaps for interaction with the cell membrane or the Ia of the antigen-presenting cell.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Antigens; Chloroquine; Clone Cells; Leupeptins; Lymphocyte Activation; Lysosomes; Mice; Monensin; Myoglobin; Peptide Fragments; Protein Conformation; Protein Denaturation; Structure-Activity Relationship; T-Lymphocytes

The mechanism of autodegradation of cell-surface macromolecules shed by human melanoma cells was studied by incubating radio-iodinated shed macromolecules with unlabeled sister cells and measuring the appearance of acid-soluble radioactivity. After a preliminary latent period of 1-3 h, degradation continually increased up to 24 h and was concentration-dependent. By contrast, binding to cells was very rapid reaching half-maximal value within 15 min. Autodegradation was markedly reduced (44-82%) by pharmacological agents which interfere with endocytosis or lysosomal enzyme activity, including drugs which inhibit receptor migration into coated pits (dansylcadaverine), endocytosis and intracellular transport (colchicine, cytochalasin B, and monensin), and the activity of lysosomal enzymes (chloroquine, ammonium chloride, leupeptin). Degradation was almost totally suppressed (95%) at 4 degrees C. These data suggest that surface macromolecules shed by melanoma cells are autodegraded in part by re-uptake into melanoma cells followed by degradation in lysosomes.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Biological Transport; Cadaverine; Cell Line; Chloroquine; Coated Pits, Cell-Membrane; Colchicine; Cytochalasin B; Endocytosis; Humans; Leupeptins; Lysosomes; Melanoma; Membrane Proteins; Monensin; Neoplasm Proteins; Time Factors; Tunicamycin

The uptake and degradation of 125I-labeled formaldehyde-denatured serum albumin in nonparenchymal rat liver cells were studied in vitro. Nonparenchymal cells bound formaldehyde-denatured serum albumin at two types of binding site, one with a high affinity and one a low affinity. The number of high affinity binding sites was approx. 10(5) per cell and the association constant, Ka 10(8) M-1. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide did not affect the uptake and degradation of formaldehyde-denatured serum albumin suggesting reutilization of the binding sites. The presence of monensin-reduced uptake and degradation to less than 10% of control values. Pronase treatment of nonparenchymal liver cells completely abolished the uptake and degradation of the ligand. The uptake mechanism was not specific for formaldehyde-denatured serum albumin. Unlabeled acetylated, as well as malondialdehyde treated, serum albumin reduced the uptake of 125I-labeled formaldehyde-denatured serum albumin as effectively as unlabeled formaldehyde-denatured serum albumin itself.

Topics: Animals; Endocytosis; Formaldehyde; Leupeptins; Liver; Lysosomes; Monensin; Protein Conformation; Protein Denaturation; Rats; Serum Albumin; Structure-Activity Relationship

The kinetics of cytotoxicity induced by ricin and a series of immunotoxins consisting of ricin A-chain coupled to antibodies against cell-surface antigens has been studied. The inhibition of protein synthesis in cells treated with immunotoxins or ricin occurs after a lag period. The rate of protein synthesis decreases according to a mono-exponential function, indicating a first-order process. With increasing concentration of immunotoxin, a maximal rate of inhibition is reached. The inactivation rate induced by immunotoxins was much slower than that achieved with ricin, even when products were compared on a basis of an identical number of molecules bound per cell, demonstrating the real higher efficacy of ricin. The time required to reduce protein synthesis by 90%, denoted T10, was 1.4-1.6 h with ricin, 60 h with anti-T65 immunotoxin on CEM human T leukemia cells (T65 positive), 65 h with anti-p97 immunotoxin on SK-MEL 28 human melanoma cells (p97 positive), and 20 h with an IgM anti-Thy 1.2 immunotoxin on WEHI-7 mouse T leukemia cells (Thy 1.2 positive). In this latter case, when the IgM antibody was replaced by an IgG anti-Thy 1.2, a 5-fold increase in the inactivation rate was obtained, demonstrating the importance of the binding moiety for the immunotoxins. Lysosomotropic amines such as ammonium chloride, chloroquine, and methylamine and carboxylic ionophores such as monensin, which are known to interfere with the uptake of certain macromolecules, strongly increased the rate of protein synthesis inhibition by all immunotoxins tested and increased 4-50,000-fold the sensitivity of cells to the immunotoxin. Enhancement in the inactivation rate was as much as 7-10-fold when either of these compounds was added, generating T10 values comparable to those of ricin.

Topics: Amines; Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Antigens, Surface; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Ionophores; Isoantibodies; Kinetics; Leukemia, Experimental; Leupeptins; Mice; Monensin; Nigericin; Pepstatins; Protein Biosynthesis; Ricin