Biochemical and ultrastructural effects of monensin on the processing, intracellular transport, and packaging of myeloperoxidase into low and high density compartments of human leukemia (HL-60) cells

The biosynthesis of myeloperoxidase in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells was studied by pulse-chase and immunoprecipitation methods and separation of subcellular organelles using Percoll density gradient fractionation. These studies revealed that in control and monensin (1 microM) treated cells, more than 85% of the total immunoprecipitable radiolabeled myeloperoxidase was present predominantly in precursor form (Mr 91,000) and resided in lower density compartments after an initial 3-h labeling period. Using biochemical and ultrastructural techniques, the lower density regions of the gradient were found to contain elements of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. Following a 16-h chase period, about 70% of the radiolabeled myeloperoxidase in untreated cells was found predominantly in denser regions of the gradient and was present mainly in the form of the mature large subunit (Mr 63,000). These dense regions were shown to contain azurophilic granules by means of the distribution of beta-glucuronidase and myeloperoxidase activities and by electron microscopy. Processing of myeloperoxidase and its deposition into dense granules were blocked by monensin treatment. Following a 16-h chase period in the presence of monensin, approximately 80% of the radiolabeled myeloperoxidase continued to reside in lower density compartments and was predominantly in precursor (Mr 91,000) and intermediate (Mr 81,000 and 74,000) forms. Only about 10% of the radiolabeled myeloperoxidase was associated with dense azurophilic granules. Monensin treatment produced large, Golgi-derived vacuoles which were isolated using Percoll density centrifugation and identified by electron microscopy. These vacuoles were found to be essentially devoid of peroxidase activity and pulse-labeled, newly synthesized radiolabeled myeloperoxidase species. The effects of monensin on transport and processing were reversible after a 3-h exposure and 16-h chase period in the absence of monensin. Taken together, these data indicate that maturation of myeloperoxidase is closely linked to its deposition into dense azurophilic granules via a monensin-sensitive process(es). The lower density compartments within which immature myeloperoxidase species accumulate in the presence of monensin appear to be functionally related to or associated with Golgi or endoplasmic reticulum structures distinct from the large monensin-induced vacuoles.     

Assembly of dimeric myeloperoxidase during posttranslational maturation in human leukemic HL-60 cells

Myeloperoxidase is a major protein component of the azurophilic granules (specialized lysosomes) of normal human neutrophils and serves as part of a potent bactericidal system in the host defense function of these cells. In normal, mature cells, myeloperoxidase occurs exclusively as a dimer of Mr 150,000 while in immature leukemia cells, there are both monomeric (Mr 80,000) as well as dimeric species. Like other lysosomal enzymes, myeloperoxidase is synthesized as a larger glycosylated precursor (Mr 91,000) that undergoes processing through single-chain intermediates (Mr 81,000 and 74,000) to yield mature heavy (Mr 60,000) and light (Mr 15,000) subunits. To study the assembly of dimeric myeloperoxidase, azurophilic granules were isolated from either unlabeled or pulse-labeled ([35S]methionine/cysteine) HL-60 cells, and myeloperoxidase was extracted and separated into monomeric and dimeric forms by FPLC gel filtration chromatography. Steady-state levels of dimeric and monomeric myeloperoxidase were found to account for 67% and 33%, respectively, of the total peroxidase activity and were correlated with the levels of associated heme as measured by absorption at 430 nm. Labeled myeloperoxidase polypeptides were immunoprecipitated using a monospecific rabbit antibody and were identified and quantitated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/fluorography and liquid scintillation counting. After a 2-h pulse, labeled myeloperoxidase species of Mr 74,000 and 60,000 were found in fractions coeluting with the monomeric form of myeloperoxidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Processing of a newly identified intermediate of human myeloperoxidase in isolated granules occurs at neutral pH

Myeloperoxidase is a major component of specialized lysosomes known as azurophil granules in polymorphonuclear leukocytes or neutrophils. The processing of myeloperoxidase in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells was studied by pulse-labeling cells in culture with [35S]methionine followed by immunoprecipitation and identification of myeloperoxidase polypeptides from cell fractions after various chase intervals. These studies revealed the presence of a previously unidentified intermediate with Mr 74,000 which kinetically followed the appearance of a larger Mr 81,000 intermediate. Using an in vitro lysosomal preparation the newly identified Mr 74,000 intermediate was directly converted within protected granules to mature forms of myeloperoxidase (Mr 63,000 and 60,000). This conversion occurred optimally at pH 7.5 and was not inhibited by lysosomotropic agents (chloroquine, NH4Cl) or protonophores (monensin, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone). Furthermore, the uptake of radiolabeled amines indicated a neutral intragranular environment (pH 7.35-7.67) which remained unchanged in the presence and absence of 1 mM ATP or 2.5 microM carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. We conclude that, in contrast to other lysosomal pathways, the final proteolytic cleavage of myeloperoxidase does not require an acidic environment.     

Myeloperoxidase precursors incorporate heme

Myeloperoxidase of neutrophil granulocytes is synthesized as a larger molecular weight precursor, which is processed to yield mature polypeptides with molecular weights of 62,000 and 12,000. We have investigated the incorporation of heme into myeloperoxidase of the human promyelocytic HL-60 cell line labeled with 5-amino[14C]levulinic acid. Myeloperoxidase was isolated by immunoprecipitation followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and radiolabeled myeloperoxidase was visualized by fluorography. A 3-h pulse labeling with 5-amino[14C]levulinic acid resulted in labeling of the Mr 90,000 and Mr 82,000 precursor polypeptides. During subsequent chase of the label, conversion to mature radioactive heavy Mr 62,000 subunit was observed but no radioactivity was associated with the mature small Mr 12,000 subunit. Peptide mapping after proteolytic cleavage with V8 proteinase showed that 5-amino[14C]levulinic acid was associated with a single Mr 23,000 polypeptide while multiple radioactive fragments were visible after proteolytic cleavage of myeloperoxidase biosynthetically labeled with [14C]leucine. That 5-amino[14C]levulinic acid was specifically incorporated into heme of myeloperoxidase was also demonstrated by dissociation under reducing conditions which yielded 14C-labeled heme as indicated by reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The ionophore monensin and the base chloroquine, which block processing of myeloperoxidase, did not affect the incorporation of 5-amino[14C]levulinic acid, further supporting the notion that the incorporation of heme is independent of final processing of the polypeptide. Our data establish that heme is incorporated into myeloperoxidase already at the level of the precursor and that processing yields a heme-containing heavy subunit and a heme-free small subunit.     

Biosynthesis, transport and processing of myeloperoxidase in the human leukaemic promyelocytic cell line HL-60 and normal marrow cells.

The processing and intracellular transport of myeloperoxidase were studied in the human promyelocytic leukaemia cell line HL-60 and in normal marrow cells labelled with [35S]methionine or [14C]leucine. Myeloperoxidase was precipitated with antimyeloperoxidase serum; the immunoprecipitates were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and radiolabelled myeloperoxidase visualized by fluorography. During a 1 h pulse, myeloperoxidase was labelled in a chain of apparent Mr 90 000. With a subsequent chase, the Mr 90 000 polypeptide disappeared and was replaced by chains of Mr 62 000 and 12 400 corresponding roughly to the size of neutrophil myeloperoxidase subunits. The identification of the radioactive polypeptides as different forms of myeloperoxidase was established also by the similarity in patterns generated by partial proteolysis with V8 proteinase from Staphylococcus aureus. Processing of myeloperoxidase in HL-60 was slow; mature polypeptides were significantly increased only after 6 h. Another myeloperoxidase chain of apparent Mr 82 000 was an intermediate precursor or degradation form. Pulse-chase experiments in combination with sucrose-density-gradient separations of homogenates showed that the Mr 90 000 precursor was located in light density organelles only and not in granule fractions, whereas the Mr 82 000 precursor was located only in intermediate density organelles, suggesting that the latter is a product of the former. Processed mature myeloperoxidase was concentrated in the granule fraction, but some occurred in lower density organelles, which may indicate processing during intracellular transport. Only the Mr 90 000 polypeptide was secreted into the culture medium; this was also the only form found in the cytosol fraction.     

Biosynthesis and glycosylation of the human complement regulatory protein decay-accelerating factor

The biosynthesis and oligosaccharide structure of the human complement regulatory glycoprotein decay-accelerating factor (DAF) were studied in erythrocytes and cell lines. Initial information relative to carbohydrate moieties of DAF was obtained by enzymatic digestions. The 74,000 Mr erythrocyte DAF was lowered 3000 by endoglycosidase F, whereas endoglycosidase H had no effect, indicating one N-linked complex-type unit. Treatment with endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase to remove O-linked oligosaccharides resulted in a 48,000 Mr molecule (67% of the Mr shift being due to sialic acid), which decreased to 45,000 Mr after sequential endoglycosidase F treatment. To additionally define the oligosaccharide structure and identify precursors in biosynthetic pathways, DAF was studied in the HL-60 cell line differentiated by vitamin D toward monocytes. Pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine revealed a precursor species of 43,000 Mr that underwent an early post-translational modification to a 46,000 Mr intermediate, and subsequently was chased into a mature species of 80,000 Mr that aligned with 125I surface-labeled DAF from these cells. All three forms of DAF were approximately 3000 lower in Mr in the presence of tunicamycin. The two lower Mr DAF species were sensitive to endoglycosidases F and H but not to neuraminidase or endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. In summary, DAF is synthesized as a 43,000 Mr precursor species containing one N-linked high-mannose unit. Before entering the central region of the Golgi, it is converted to a 46,000 Mr species by an as yet unknown post-translational modification. The 46,000 Mr form is converted to the 74,000 Mr (erythrocyte) or 80,000 Mr (leukocyte) membrane form of DAF by the addition of multiple, sialylated O-linked oligosaccharide chains (responsible for the large electrophoretic mobility shift) and conversion of the single N-linked high-mannose unit to a complex-type structure. The cell-specific Mr variation between red and white blood cells arises during this post-translational modification from the 46,000 Mr biosynthetic intermediate to the mature DAF species expressed on the cell surface.     

Myeloperoxidase is synthesized as larger phosphorylated precursor.

Synthesis and processing of myeloperoxidase were examined in metabolically labeled cells of the human promyelocyte line HL-60 and in an in vitro rabbit reticulocyte lysate system directed with HL-60 mRNA. Radioactivity labeled products were isolated by immunoprecipitation and analyzed by gel electrophoresis and fluorography. In vivo, myeloperoxidase was labeled initially as a 85-K glycosylated polypeptide (75 K after treatment with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H). This polypeptide was soon processed to an 81-K intermediate and to smaller mature fragments of 60 K and 13 K within approximately 1 day. A minor portion of the precursor was converted to fragments of 40 K and 43 K. The pattern of labeled polypeptides of mature myeloperoxidase was similar to that of the enzyme purified from human leucocytes. The modifications of the polypeptide and of the oligosaccharide side chains in myeloperoxidase resembled those known to occur during the processing of lysosomal enzymes. In the absence or presence of dog pancreas membranes, myeloperoxidase was synthesized in vitro as a 76-K polypeptide or a 87-K glycosylated polypeptide, respectively. In HL-60 cells [32P]phosphate was incorporated into endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H-sensitive oligosaccharides. The presence of phosphorylated oligosaccharides was inferred from the fact that endocytosis of leucocyte myeloperoxidase in fibroblasts was sensitive to mannose 6-phosphate. It is suggested that myeloperoxidase is synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum as a precursor of larger molecular mass and that the oligosaccharide side chains in the precursor are modified to contain mannose 6-phosphate residues which may be involved in the segregation and transport of the precursor.     

The processing and intracellular transport of myeloperoxidase. Modulation by lysosomotropic agents and monensin

Myeloperoxidase, stored in azurophil granules of neutrophils, is synthesized in promyelocytes as a larger molecular weight precursor, which is processed to yield a transient Mr 82 000 intermediate and mature polypeptides with molecular weights of 62 000 and 12 000. We have tried to define subcellular sites for processing using metabolic labelling of the promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 in combination with subcellular fractionation on a Percoll gradient. A reasonable separation was achieved between azurophil granules, Golgi elements and endoplasmic reticulum. The finding of almost exclusively fully processed myeloperoxidase in granules and a mixture of unprocessed and processed polypeptide in fractions enriched in Golgi elements suggests that processing occurred mainly in pregranular structures. Monensin, which exchanges protons for Na+, and the base chloroquine blocked processing probably by inhibition of transport through the Golgi apparatus. However, the lysosomotropic NH4+ cation did not inhibit processing or transport indicating that processing is not necessarily influenced by pH-dependent mechanisms. Results from digestion with endoglycosidase H, incubation with tunicamycin and metabolic labelling with [3H]mannose indicated that myeloperoxidase contained high mannose oligosaccharide side chains. Also [32P]phosphate incorporated into Mr 90 000 and Mr 62 000 myeloperoxidase was susceptible to endoglycosidase H indicating that oligosaccharide side chains are modified by phosphorylation as in lysosomal enzymes. Thus, even if myeloperoxidase contained mannose 6-phosphate residues, these may not necessarily be involved in directing transport to the azurophil granules.     

Biosynthetic processing of human interleukin-2 receptor (Tac antigen)

Biosynthetic processing of the T-cell surface receptor for interleukin-2 was investigated in a cultured human T-cell line MT-1 by means of metabolic and cell surface radiolabeling followed by immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal anti-receptor antibody (anti-Tac) and analysis by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The nascent precursor of the receptor (Mr = about 40,000, pI = 6.2-6.5) underwent a post-translational modification giving rise to the mature receptor (IL-2R; Mr = 60,000-65,000, pI = 4.2-4.7) within 2-4 hr. The post-translational processing of IL-2R caused a 20,000-25,000 increase in apparent molecular weight and a 2.0-2.5 acidic shift in the isoelectric point. The increase in molecular weight was attributable mainly to addition of sugar residues including glucosamine and galactose, and the charge shift to the addition of sialic acids. A carboxylic ionophore monensin completely blocked the maturation of IL-2R at the mid-stage of the processing. Fatty acid attachment appeared to comprise one of the steps of the post-translational modification. Two-dimensional analyses of IL-2R biosynthesis enabled identification of the precursor of IL-2R and its intermediate forms, from which it was partially possible to estimate reactions involved in the maturation of the precursor molecule.     

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases. Identification of precursor forms synthesized by human fibroblasts in culture

Precursor forms of the glycoprotein tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) synthesized by human fibroblasts in culture have been identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of specific immunoprecipitates. Translation of mRNA extracted from fibroblasts in the cell-free rabbit reticulocyte lysate system yielded a single immunoprecipitable precursor of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, Mr 22000. Intact fibroblasts cultured in the presence of tunicamycin synthesized an Mr 20 000 form of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, detectable intracellularly and extracellularly. This is in contrast to the predominantly intracellular Mr 24 000 form synthesized during monensin treatment of cells and the normal secreted form of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, Mr 29 000. Isoelectric focusing of the various immunoprecipitable precursor forms showed a progressive increase in positive charge and microheterogeneity of the protein during cellular processing. The data suggest that the inhibitor protein core, of basic pI, is glycosylated initially by the addition of mostly neutral sugars and subsequently by acidic sugars, prior to secretion.     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA coding for human myeloperoxidase

A cDNA encoding the carboxyl-terminal fragment of the human myeloperoxidase heavy chain was isolated and characterized. It was then used to determine the locations of the myeloperoxidase light and heavy chains in the polypeptide precursor. A cDNA library from poly(A)+ RNA from human leukemia HL-60 cells was constructed in pBR322 and screened by differential hybridization with enriched and depleted cDNA probes and then by hybridization with an oligonucleotide probe. A cDNA clone containing 1278 bp with an open reading frame of 474 bp and a 3' noncoding region of 804 bp was isolated. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence consisted of 158 residues including a sequence of 14 amino acids known to be present in the heavy chain of the molecule. The cDNA also included a stop codon of TAG followed by a noncoding sequence that included a potential recognition site for polyadenylylation and a poly(A) tail. RNA transfer blot analysis with the cDNA probe indicated that myeloperoxidase mRNA was approximately 3.3 kb in length. In vitro translation of the mRNA selected by cDNA hybridization revealed preferential synthesis of a 74,000-Da polypeptide precursor that could be precipitated with anti-myeloperoxidase IgG. Antibodies specific for the heavy and light chains of myeloperoxidase were isolated from antiserum by affinity chromatography employing Sepharose columns covalently bound to the heavy or light chains. Antibodies specific for the light chain or the heavy chain readily precipitated the 74,000-Da precursor polypeptide. These results indicated that myeloperoxidase is synthesized as a single chain which undergoes processing into a light and heavy chain. Furthermore, the heavy chain of myeloperoxidase originates from the carboxyl terminus of the precursor polypeptide.     

The human receptor for T-cell growth factor. Evidence for variable post-translational processing, phosphorylation, sulfation, and the ability of precursor forms of the receptor to bind T-cell growth factor

The T-cell growth factor (TCGF) receptor on phytohemagglutinin-activated normal peripheral blood T-cells is characterized as a glycoprotein with an apparent Mr = 55,000 that contains N-linked and O-linked carbohydrate with only approximately 33,000 daltons of peptide structure (p33) as evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. There are two N-linked glycosylated intermediate precursor forms (apparent Mr = 35,000 (p35) and 37,000 (p37]. This receptor differs from the TCGF receptor on HUT-102B2 cells (apparent Mr = 50,000) because of differences in post-translational processing. Experiments with the carboxylic ionophore monensin demonstrate blockade of the transition of the p35 and p37 receptor precursor forms to the mature receptor, presumably secondary to inhibition of Golgi-associated receptor processing. We identify the primary translation product of TCGF receptor mRNA as intermediate in size between the p33 and the p35/p37 forms. We further demonstrate that the p33, p35, and p37 precursor forms, but not the primary translation product, are all capable of binding TCGF. Thus, the removal of the signal peptide and/or conformational changes of the primary translation product are necessary for ligand binding; however, the extensive post-translational modifications are not. Lastly, we demonstrate that at least some TCGF receptors are phosphorylated and sulfated, and that TCGF receptors on phytohemagglutinin-activated normal T-cells are more heavily sulfated than those on HUT-102B2 cells.     

Effects of the monovalent ionophore monensin on the intracellular transport and processing of pro-opiomelanocortin in cultured intermediate lobe cells of the rat pituitary

Detailed studies on the effects of the ionophore monensin upon synthesis, maturation, and intracellular transport of pro-opiomelanocortin in cultures of rat pituitary intermediate lobe cells have been carried out. When added at concentrations larger than 5 X 10(-8) M monensin significantly inhibited protein synthesis by cultured intermediate lobe cells. Pro-opiomelanocortin synthesis was also reduced proportionally to the overall rate of protein synthesis. During pulse-chase experiments, monensin when added at a concentration of 10(-5) M at the beginning of the chase incubation completely inhibited the proteolytic processing of pro-opiomelanocortin. Using a subcellular fractionation procedure of intermediate lobe cell extracts on Percoll gradients, we were able to show that after the addition of monensin (10(-5) M), labeled pro-opiomelanocortin molecules synthesized during a 15-min pulse-incubation were recovered intact after a 2-h chase, in the fractions of the density gradient corresponding to the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi elements. No maturation products or precursor molecules entered the granule fractions as observed in nontreated cells. Taken together these results strongly suggest that monensin blocks the intracellular transport of newly synthesized pro-opiomelanocortin molecules at the Golgi level and that inhibition of proteolytic processing is due to the failure of the prohormone to enter the cell compartment (probably the secretion granules) where maturation proteases are located.     

A potential mucus precursor in Tetrahymena wild type and mutant cells.

By using an antibody to a specific mucus polypeptide (34 kDa) to study whole cell extracts of both a secretory mutant (SB281) and wild type (wt) Tetrahymena, we demonstrate that a 57-kDa polypeptide is a probable precursor to the 34-kDa secretory polypeptide. We postulate that the precursor accumulates in the mutant cells because it cannot be cleaved. This mutant contains no recognizable mature secretory granules (mucocysts). By immunoelectron microscopy, the 34-kDa polypeptide was localized in wt cells specifically to the mature mucocysts and to their released products. Localization in mutant cells occurred in two different types of cytoplasmic vesicles: small electron dense vesicles (0.3-0.5 microns in diameter) and large electron lucent vacuoles (1.2-3.5 microns in diameter). Immunoblot analyses of homogenates of mutant and wt cells with the anti-34-kDa serum revealed a dominant band in the mutant at Mr 57 kDa whereas the wt showed a dominant band only at Mr 34 kDa. Furthermore, the 57-kDa polypeptide is immunoprecipitated with anti-34-kDa serum from the mutant cell. Further evidence for a precursor relation of the 57-kDa polypeptide in mutant cells to the 34-kDa mucus polypeptide of wt cells was obtained by the use of drugs (monensin, chloroquine, NH4Cl) that block secretory product processing in wt cells. Extracts of drug-treated wt cells showed the presence of a 57-kDa cross reacting band even after 18 h of incubation in growth medium whereas untreated control cells contained the 34-kDa mature protein almost exclusively. These results indicate that processing of the precursor to the 34-kDa polypeptide occurs in an acidic compartment(s) possibly in either the trans Golgi network, or condensing vacuoles or both.     

Subcellular sites of processing of precursors to neurosecretory peptides in the bag cells of Aplysia: Inferences from the effects of monensin,FCCP, and chloroquine

The effects of the sodium ionophore monensin were examined in the bag cells of Aplysia californica in order to identify the subcellular sites of processing of precursors to their neurosecretory products. Incubation of bag cells in media containing 10 μM monensin led to a marked disruption of the morphology of the Golgi apparatus without affecting that of other organelles. Exposure of bag cells to monensin led to a significant impairment of processing of the largest precursor and of an intermediate protein which gives rise to the immediate precursors to the final secreted products, the egg-laying hormone (ELH) and the acidic peptide (AP). Furthermore, ELH and AP were never produced in the presence of monensin during the time course of these experiments. When axonal transport was allowed to proceed, the contents of bag-cell terminals indicated that the intermediate protein is the first to be packaged in Golgi-derived vesicles, and in monensin-treated cells may be transported without being processed further. In contrast to these results, the protonophore FCCP-impaired precursor and intermediate cleavage equally, indicating that monensin and FCCP have different effects on intracellular transport and precursor processing. These data are interpreted to indicate that the largest ELH-AP precursor is normally processed within the Golgi apparatus, and that the disruption of this organelle induced by monensin produces the impairment seen in its processing. The impairment of cleavage of the intermediate species, and the blockade of production of AP and ELH, are probably the result of monensin-induced impairment of production of proteolytically competent secretory granules by the Golgi apparatus.     

Glycosylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in A-431 cells. The contribution of carbohydrate to receptor function

A-431 cells were treated with inhibitors of either N-linked glycosylation (tunicamycin or glucosamine) or of N-linked oligosaccharide processing (swainsonine or monensin) to examine the glycosylation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and to determine the effect of glycosylation modification on receptor function. The receptor was found to be an Mr = 130,000 polypeptide to which a relatively large amount of carbohydrate is added co-translationally in the form of N-linked oligosaccharides. Processing of these oligosaccharides accounts for the 10,000-dalton difference in electrophoretic migration between the Mr = 160,000 precursor and Mr = 170,000 mature forms of the receptor. No evidence was found for O-linked oligosaccharides on the receptor. Mr = 160,000 receptors resulting from swainsonine or monensin treatment were present on the cell surface and retained full function, as judged by 125I-EGF binding to intact cells and detergent-solubilized extracts and by in vitro phosphorylation in the absence or presence of EGF. On the other hand, when cells were treated with tunicamycin or glucosamine, ligand binding was reduced by more than 50% in either intact cells or solubilized cell extracts. The Mr = 130,000 receptors synthesized in the presence of these inhibitors were not found on the cell surface. In addition, no Mr = 130,000 phosphoprotein was detected in the in vitro phosphorylation of tunicamycin or glucosamine-treated cells. It appears, therefore, that although terminal processing of N-linked oligosaccharides is not necessary for proper translocation or function of the EGF receptor, the addition of N-linked oligosaccharides is required.     

Disparate effects of monensin and colchicine on intracellular processing of secretory proteins in cultured rat hepatocytes

We have studied the biosynthesis and intracellular processing of three major secretory proteins, albumin, alpha 1-protease inhibitor and alpha 2u-globulin, in cultured rat hepatocytes. The effect of secretion-blocking agents, monensin, a monovalent ionophore, and the microtubule-affecting agents colchicine and taxol was determined. In the control cells, alpha 1-protease inhibitor, a glycoprotein, was first synthesized as an endoglycosidase-H-sensitive form with Mr 51 000, and then processed to two endoglycosidase-H-resistant forms having Mr 51 000 and 56 000, the latter of which was secreted into the medium. Initially synthesized proalbumin was converted with chase to serum-type albumin, while no pro-type precursor was identified for alpha 2u-globulin. In the cells treated with colchicine or taxol, in which secretion was greatly inhibited, the fully processed alpha 1-protease inhibitor and albumin accumulated and were finally secreted into the medium. In the monensin-treated cells, however, most of the newly synthesized alpha 1-protease inhibitor and albumin were not processed to the final mature forms, resulting in accumulation of two 51 000-Mr forms and proalbumin, respectively. Moreover in treated cells, proalbumin and the endoglycosidase-H-resistant alpha 1-protease inhibitor were finally secreted into the medium. Such an effect was not caused by NH4Cl which also inhibited the secretion and is known to exert the similar effect as monensin on the receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway. Based on these results, the use of monensin may prove valuable for more detailed analysis of intracellular processing of various proteins.     

Role of acidic intracellular compartments in the biosynthesis of Dictyostelium lysosomal enzymes. The weak bases ammonium chloride and chloroquine differentially affect proteolytic processing and sorting

Radiolabel pulse-chase and subcellular fractionation procedures were used to analyze the transport, proteolytic processing, and sorting of two lysosomal enzymes in Dictyostelium discoideum cells treated with the weak bases ammonium chloride and chloroquine. Dictyostelium lacks detectable cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptors and represents an excellent system to investigate alternative mechanisms for lysosomal enzyme targeting. Exposure of growing cells to ammonium chloride, which increased the pH in intracellular vacuoles from 5.4 to 5.8-6.1, slowed but did not prevent the proteolytic processing and correct localization of pulse-radiolabeled precursors to the lysosomal enzymes alpha-mannosidase and beta-glucosidase. Additionally, ammonium chloride did not affect transport of the enzymes to the Golgi complex, as they acquired resistance to the enzyme endoglycosidase H at the same rate as in control cells. When the pH of lysosomal and endosomal organelles was raised to 6.4 with higher concentrations of ammonium chloride, the percentage of secreted (apparently mis-sorted) precursor polypeptides increased slightly, but proteolytic processing of intermediate forms of lysosomal enzymes to mature forms was greatly reduced. The intermediate and mature forms of alpha-mannosidase and beta-glucosidase did, however, accumulate intracellularly in vesicles similar in density to lysosomes. In contrast, in cells exposed to low concentrations of chloroquine the intravacuolar pH increased only slightly (to 5.7); however, enzymes were inefficiently processed and, instead, rapidly secreted as precursor molecules. Experiments involving the addition of chloroquine at various times during the chase of pulse-radiolabeled cells demonstrated that this weak base acted on a distal Golgi or prelysosomal compartment to prevent the normal sorting of lysosomal enzymes. These results suggest that although acidic endosomal/lysosomal compartments may be important for the complete proteolytic processing of lysosomal enzymes in Dictyostelium, low pH is not essential for the proper targeting of precursor polypeptides. Furthermore, certain amines may induce mis-sorting of these enzymes by pH-independent mechanisms.     

Biosynthesis and processing of platelet GPIIb-IIIa in human megakaryocytes

Platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa forms a calcium-dependent heterodimer and constitutes the fibrinogen receptor on stimulated platelets. GPIIb is a two-chain protein containing disulfide-linked alpha and beta subunits. GPIIIa is a single chain protein. These proteins are synthesized in the bone marrow by megakaryocytes, but the study of their synthesis has been hampered by the difficulty in obtaining enriched population of megakaryocytes in large numbers. To examine the biosynthesis and processing of GPIIb-IIIa, purified human megakaryocytes were isolated from liquid cultures of cryopreserved leukocytes stem cell concentrates from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine pulse-chase-labeled cell extracts by antibodies specific for the alpha or beta subunits of GPIIb indicated that GPIIb was derived from a precursor of Mr 130,000 that contains the alpha and beta subunits. This precursor was converted to GPIIb with a half-life of 4-5 h. No precursor form of GPIIIa was detected. The glycosylation of GPIIb-IIIa was examined in megakaryocytes by metabolic labeling in the presence of tunicamycin, monensin, or treatment with endoglycosidase H. The polypeptide backbones of the GPIIb and the GPIIIa have molecular masses of 120 and 90 kD, respectively. High-mannose oligosaccharides are added to these polypeptide backbones co-translationally. The GPIIb precursor is then processed with conversion of high-mannose to complex type carbohydrates yielding the mature subunits GPIIb alpha (Mr 116,000) and GPIIb beta (Mr 25,000). No posttranslational processing of GPIIIa was detected.