Isolation and characterization of phosphorylated oligosaccharides from alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase that are recognized by cell-surface receptors.

Adsorptive endocytosis of lysosomal enzymes by fibroblasts and hepatocytes involves binding to cell surface receptors that recognize on lysosomal enzymes a phosphorylated carbohydrate, most likely a mannose 6-phosphate residue [Kaplan et al. (1977) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 2026-2030; Ullrich et al. (1978) Hoppe-Seyler's Z. Physiol. Chem. 359, 1591-1598]. Loss of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase endocytosis after treatment with endoglucosaminidase H indicated that the recognition site of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase is located on N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides of the high mannose type. Acidic oligosaccharides with an average molecular weight of 2200 were liberated from alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase by endoglucosaminidase H. These oligosaccharides were susceptible to degradation by alkaline phosphatase, alpha-mannosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. At the non-reducing terminal these oligosaccharides bear phosphorylated mannose and/or N-acetylglucosamine residues.     

Epithelial rat liver cells have cell surface receptors recognizing a phosphorylated carbohydrate on lysosomal enzymes

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase by cultured epithelial rat liver cells is inhibited by mannose, L-fucose and most effectively by mannose 6-phosphate. Endocytosis of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase is lost after treatment of the enzyme with alkaline phosphatase. These findings indicate that epithelial rat liver cells possess cell surface receptors that recognize a phosphorylated carbohydrate on alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, as was previously reported for cell surface receptors of human skin fibroblasts. Inhibition of alpha-mannosidase endocytosis by epithelial rat liver cells in the presence of mannose 6-phosphate and loss of enzyme endocytosis after treatment with alkaline phosphatase suggest that this enzyme is recognized by the same receptor.     

Endocytosis of lysosomal enzymes by non-parenchymal rat liver cells. Comparative study of lysosomal-enzyme uptake by hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells

Cultured non-parenchymal rat liver cells internalize human urine alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, human skin beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and pig kidney alpha-mannosidase. Different heat-stabilities of endocytosed and endogenous alpha-mannosidase activity provided indirect evidence that the increase in intracellular activity resulted from uptake. The high efficiency and the saturation kinetics of uptake indicated that these enzymes become internalized by adsorptive endocytosis. Competition experiments with glycoproteins bearing known carbohydrates at their non-reducing terminals, with mannans, methyl glycosides and monosaccharides, established that the uptake of these three lysosomal enzymes is mediated by the binding to cell-surface receptors that recognize mannose and N-acetylglucosamine residues. The decreased uptake after treatment of these enzymes with either beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase or alpha-mannosidase was in accordance with the results of the inhibition experiments. Removal of oligosaccharides of the high-mannose type by treatment with endoglucosaminidase H inhibited uptake almost completely, suggesting that the sugars recognized by cell-surface receptors of non-parenchymal liver cells are located in the outer core of these oligosaccharides. A comparison of the uptake of these three lysosomal enzymes by parenchymal and non-parenchymal rat liver cells indicates that infused alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase is taken up preferentially by hepatocytes, whereas alpha-mannosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase are localized predominantly in non-parenchymal rat liver cells.     

Effects of antimycin A and 2-deoxyglucose on secretion in human platelets. Differential inhibition of the secretion of acid hydrolases and adenine nucleotides

Adsorptive endocytosis of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase from human urine by isolated rat hepatocytes is inhibited by glycoproteins, polysaccharides and sugars that are known to bind to cell-surface receptors specific for either terminal galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine residues, terminal mannose residues or mannose 6-phosphate residues. Recognition of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase by a cell-surface receptor specific for terminal galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine residues is supported by the observations (a) that neuraminidase pretreatment of the enzyme enhances endocytosis, (b) that beta-galactosidase treatment decreases endocytosis and (c) that neuraminidase pretreatment of hepatocytes decreases alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase endocytosis. Recognition of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase via receptors recognizing mannose 6-phosphate residues is lost after treatment of the enzyme with alkaline phosphatase and endoglucosaminidase H. The effect of endoglucosaminidase H supports the view that the mannose 6-phosphate residues reside in N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide side chains of the high-mannose type. The weak inhibition of endocytosis produced by compounds known to interact with cell-surface receptors specific for mannose residues suggests that this recognition system plays only a minor role in the endocytosis of lysosomal alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase by hepatocytes.     

An alternative hypothesis of cellular transport of lysosomal enzymes in fibroblasts. Effect of inhibitors of lysosomal enzyme endocytosis on intra- and extra-cellular lysosomal enzyme activities

Recapture of lysosomal enzymes secreted by fibroblasts was inhibited by growing the cells in the presence of either free or immobilized antibodies against lysosomal enzymes or in the presence of phosphorylated carbohydrates known to interact with the cell-surface receptors for lysosomal enzymes. The following results were obtained. 1. Conditions that prevent recapture of released lysosomal enzymes increase the rate of extracellular accumulation of these enzymes up to twice that of controls. 2. Growing cells for 12 days in the presence of 0.5mm-mannose 6-phosphate, which decreases β-N-acetylglucosaminidase endocytosis to less than 10% of that of controls, has no effect on the intracellular activity of this and four other lysosomal enzymes. 3. Growing cells for 4 days in the presence of 50mm-mannose 6-phosphate, which is a 1000-fold higher concentration than that required for 50% inhibition of lysosomal enzyme endocytosis, leads to a 4-fold increase in extracellular β-N-acetylglucosaminidase accumulation and a decrease in intracellular enzyme. These results give evidence that, in fibroblasts, transfer of lysosomal enzymes into lysosomes does not require secretion before a receptor-mediated recapture [Hickman & Neufeld (1972) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 49, 992–999]. We propose that (a) lysosomal enzymes are present in a receptor-bound form in those vesicles that fuse with the cell membrane, (b) the major part of the lysosomal enzyme cycles via the cell surface in a receptor-bound form and (c) only a minor part of the lysosomal enzyme is released into the extracellular space during its life cycle.     

Secretion and uptake of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase by fibroblasts. Effect of chloroquine and mannose 6-phosphate.

The effects of chloroquine and mannose 6-hosphate on the secretion and uptake of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), by human fibroblasts have been compared. There was a reciprocal relationship between intracellular depletion, and extracellular accumulation, of enzyme at chloroquine concentrations ranging from 5 micrometers to 100 micrometers. A loss of enzyme activity from the system (intra- plus extracellular activity) with increasing concentrations of chloroquine was due to inhibition of the beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. At a concentration of 50 micrometers, chloroquine elicited a three fold increase in the extracellular accumulation of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in 24 h whereas the addition of 5 micrometers mannose 6-phosphate (a competitive inhibitor of receptor-mediated uptake) resulted in only a 13% increase. Uptake of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase by enzyme-deficient fibroblasts was completely inhibited by 5 micrometers mannose 6-phosphate. In the presence of chloroquine there was also no uptake of enzyme, however ther was a marked decrease in the residual activity of the cells. The results suggest that the effect of chloroquine on fibroblasts is to stimulate secretion rather than to inhibit uptake as previously reported. The isoenzyme pattern of the beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from normal culture medium was compared with that accumulating in the medium following exposure of the cells to 50 micrometers chloroquine. In the presence of chloroquine, there was an increase in the A isoenzyme, however the activity was eluted in a broad peak which probably represents several closely related forms of the enzyme. There was an almost total loss of the A isoenzyme of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from fibroblasts cultured in the presence of chloroquine. A small peak of activity eluting at a similar position to the secreted, As, isoenzyme was present in extracts of chloroquine-treated fibroblasts, suggesting that the As isoenzyme is formed and/or stored at a site distinct from the intracellular isoenzyme.     

Effect of lectins on the metabolism of sulfated glycosaminolycans in cultured fibroblasts.

A short exposure of human skin fibroblasts to Concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin led to an intra- and extracellular accumulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The intracellular accumulation was caused by an impaired degradation of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The increase of extracellular and cell surface associated 35S-labeled proteoglycans could be ascribed to a lectin-mediated inhibition of endocytosis of these polysaccharides. Results obtained with mono- and divalent Concanavalin A derivatives were in agreement with the view that lectins inhibit endocytosis of sulfated proteoglycans by binding to the cell surface receptors specific for these polysaccharides. Proteoglycans secreted by fibroblasts formed precipitable complexes with Concanavalin A. Complex formation reduced markedly the uptake of the proteoglycan. All effects on glycosaminoglycan metabolism mediated by Concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin could be prevented by methyl alpha-D-mannoside and N-acetylglucoseamine, respectively.     

Effect of lectins on the metabolism of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in cultured fibroblasts

A short exposure of human skin fibroblasts to Concanavallin A and wheat germ agglutinin led to an intra- and extracellular accumulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The intracellular accumulation was caused by an impaired degradation of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The increase of extracellular and cell surface associated ³⁵S-labeled proteoglycans could be ascribed to a lectin-mediated inhibition of endocytosis of these polysaccharides. Results obtained with mono- and divalent Concanavalin A derivatives were in aggreement with the view that lectins inhibit endocytosis of sulfated proteoglycans by binding to the cell surface receptors specific for these polysaccharides. Proteoglycans secreted by fibroblasts formed predipitable complexes with Concanavalin A. Complex formation reduced markedly the uptake of the proteoglycan. All effects on glycosaminoglycan metabolism mediated by Concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutin could be prevented by methyl α-D-mannoside and N-acetylglucosamine, respectively.     

Characterization and biological implications of membrane lectins in tumor, lymphoid and myeloid cells

Complex carbohydrates and sugar receptors at the surface of eukaryotic cells are involved in recognition phenomena. Membrane lectins have been characterized, using biochemical, biological and cytological methods. Their biological activities have been assessed using labeled glycoproteins or neoglycoproteins. Specific glycoproteins or neoglycoproteins have been used to inhibit their binding capacity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In adults, lymphoid and myeloid cells as well as tumor cells grow in a given organ and eventually migrate and home in another organ; these phenomena are known as the homing process or metastasis, respectively. In specific cases, membrane lectins of endothelial cells recognize cell surface glycoconjugates of lymphocytes or tumor cells, while membrane lectins of lymphocytes and of tumor cells recognize glycoconjugates of extracellular matrices or of non-migrating cells. Therefore, membrane lectins are involved in cell-cell recognition phenomena. Membrane lectins are also involved in endocytosis and intracellular traffic of glycoconjugates. This property has been demonstrated not only in hepatocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages and histiocytes but also in tumor cells, monocytes, thyrocytes, etc. Upon endocytosis, membrane lectins are present in endosomes, whose luminal pH rapidly decreases. In cells such as tumor cells or macrophages, endosomes fuse with lysosomes; it is therefore possible to target cytotoxic drugs or activators, by binding them to specific glycoconjugates or neoglycoproteins through a linkage specifically hydrolyzed by lysosomal enzymes. In cells such as monocytes, the delivery of glycoconjugates to lysosomes is not active; in this case, it would be preferable to use an acid-labile linkage. Cell surface membrane lectins are developmentally regulated; they are present at given stages of differentiation and of malignant transformation. Cell surface membrane lectins usually bind glycoconjugates at neutral pH but not in acidic medium: their ligand is released in acidic specialized organelles; the internalized ligand may be then delivered into lysosomes, while the membrane lectin is recycled. Some membrane lectins, however, do bind their ligand in relatively acidic medium as in the case of thyrocytes. The presence of cell surface membrane lectins which recognize specific sugar moieties opens the way to interesting applications: for instance, isolation of cell subpopulations such as human suppressor T cells, targeting of anti-tumor or anti-viral drugs, targeting of immunomodulators or biological response modifiers.     

Effects of flavonoids on enzyme secretion and endocytosis in normal and mucolipidosis II fibroblasts

The effect of flavonoids on beta-hexosaminidase transport and endocytosis has been studied in cultured human skin fibroblasts. In mucolipidosis II fibroblast cultures, characterized by their preferential secretion of most newly synthesized hydrolases, quercetin and phloretin (200 microM) inhibited beta-hexosaminidase synthesis as well as total culture-associated enzyme activity. Taxifolin induced a 2.4-fold increase in the total enzyme activity without altering the intra- and extracellular distribution of the enzyme. Rutin, although less effective, also stimulated an overall increase in total enzyme. The flavonoid effects were all concentration-dependent. Very little effect was observed in either the distribution or the total beta-hexosaminidase activity in normal fibroblast cultures. Taxifolin and hesperitin inhibited receptor-mediated endocytosis of beta-hexosaminidase by fibroblasts up to 50% of control uptake. Naringin, quercetin, and phloretin moderately inhibited uptake by 30% while rutin and fisetin had no effect. The results demonstrate that certain naturally occurring flavonoids affect the secretion of lysosomal enzymes as well as their endocytosis by fibroblasts. Since most individuals ingest up to one gram per day of these substances, flavonoids may prove to have significant effects on normal lysosomal enzyme physiology.     

Effect of the co-existence of galactosyl and phosphomannosyl residues on β-hexosaminidase on the processing and transport of the enzyme in mucolipidosis I fibroblasts

Cultured fibroblasts from patients with the lysosomal storage disease, mucolipidosis II, produce complex glycosylated lysosomal enzymes which are preferentially excreted presumably due to the absence of specific phosphomannosyl recognition residues needed for intracellular retention. Complex glycosylated hydrolases are also produced by fibroblasts from patients with mucolipidosis I but an abnormal excretion is not apparent in this disorder. Intra- and extracellular distribution, lectin binding, and specific endocytosis were criteria used to compare the properties of intra- and extracellular β-hexosaminidase derived from mucolipidosis I and normal fibroblast cultures. Mucolipidosis I fibroblasts did not hyperexcrete β-hexosaminidase when maintained in serum-free medium. Using the specifity of ricin binding to terminal galactosyl residues, the most galactosylated forms of the enzyme derived from mucolipidosis I cell extracts and culture fluids were found in the mucolipidosis I cell extracts (50% of total enzyme). Mucolipidosis I-excreted β-hexosaminidase which was eluted from ricin-120-Sepharose, was a high-uptake form in endocytosis experiments while unbound enzyme was a low-uptake form. These data suggest that β-hexosaminidase molecules contained phosphomanosyl residues necessary for receptor-mediated endocytosis as well as galactosyl residues on the same molecule. The co-existence of complex chains with high-mannose chains did not interfere with the phosphomannose-mediated endocytosis of β-hexosaminidase nor with the retention of endogenous enzyme. We can speculate that since complex oligosaccharide chains in the mucolipidosis I cellular enzyme persist due to a sialidase deficiency, more extensive sialylation of cellular enzyme in normal fibroblasts probably occurs at some point during post-translational processing. However, the presence of sialidase in normal cells initiates complex chain trimming in the lysosomes resulting in a less glycosylated end product.     

Secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase isoenzymes by normal human fibroblasts.

1. Secretion of the lysosomal enzyme beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) by normal human fibroblast cultures was linear with respect to time up to 96h. 2. Two forms of the A isoenzyme of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase were found in the culture medium. One form was similar to the isoenzyme found in other extracellular fluids, such as plasma and tears, the other resembled the intracellular (lysosomal) enzyme. The presence of the two isoenzymes in the culture medium appears to reflect two distinct secretory processes. 3. It is suggested that plasma acid hydrolases may be destined for incorporation into lysosomes in a manner analogous to that described for the packaging of lysosomal enzymes by fibroblasts.     

Mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of the 275 kd mannose 6-phosphate receptor differentially alter lysosomal enzyme sorting and endocytosis

The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (Cl-MPR) sorts newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes in the Golgi and endocytoses extracellular lysosomal enzymes. To determine the role of the 163 amino acid cytoplasmic domain of the Cl-MPR in these functions, receptor-deficient mouse L cells were transfected with normal bovine Cl-MPR cDNA or cDNAs mutated in the cytoplasmic domain. The normal Cl-MPR functioned in sorting and endocytosis. Mutant receptors with 40 and 89 residues deleted from the carboxyl terminus of the cytoplasmic tail functioned normally in endocytosis, but were partially impaired in sorting. Mutant receptors with larger deletions leaving only 7 and 20 residues of the cytoplasmic tail were defective in endocytosis and sorting. A mutant receptor containing alanine instead of tyrosine residues at positions 24 and 26 was defective in endocytosis, and partially impaired in sorting. Receptors deficient in endocytosis accumulated at the cell surface. These results indicate that the cytoplasmic domain of the Cl-MPR contains different signals for rapid endocytosis and efficient lysosomal enzyme sorting.     

Endocytosis of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from sections of mucolipidosis-II and-III fibroblasts by non-parenchymal rat liver cells.

beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase isolated from the secretions of fibroblasts of mucolipidosis-II and -III patients is internalized by cultured non-parenchymal rat liver cells. The rate of endocytosis compared with that of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from control fibroblasts was 11 and 19% for the enzyme from mucolipidosis-II and -III patients respectively. The inhibition of endocytosis by mannan indicates that the beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from mucolipidosis-II and -III patients is recognized by cell-surface receptors specific for mannose.     

Lysosomal storage causes cellular dysfunction in mucolipidosis II skin fibroblasts

Mucolipidosis II (ML-II) is a fatal inherited metabolic disease caused by deficiency of GlcNAc-phosphotransferase, which plays a role in generating the mannose 6-phosphate recognition marker on lysosomal enzymes. In ML-II, many lysosomal acid hydrolases are mistargeted out of cells, and lysosomes become filled with undigested substrates, which explains inclusion cell disease as an alternative name for this disease. In this study, we revealed various cellular phenotypes in ML-II skin fibroblasts. We quantitated phospholipid and cholesterol within cells and showed ~2-fold accumulation in ML-II as compared with normal cells. Lysosomal pH of ML-II cells was higher than that of normal cells (5.29 ± 0.08 versus 4.79 ± 0.10, p < 0.001). The proliferated lysosomes in ML-II cells were accumulated ~3-fold in amount as compared with normal cells. Intracellular logistics including endocytosis and mannose 6-phosphate receptor recycling were impaired in ML-II cells. To confirm whether these ML-II cellular phenotypes derive from deficient lysosomal acid hydrolases within lysosomes, we performed supplementation of lysosomal enzymes using a partially purified total enzyme mixture, which was derived from the conditioned culture medium of normal skin fibroblasts after NH(4)Cl treatment. This supplementation corrected all of the previously described ML-II phenotypes. In addition, the autophagic and mitochondrial impairment that we have previously reported improved, and inclusion bodies disappeared on electron micrography following total lysosomal enzyme supplementation. Our results indicate that various cellular phenotypes in ML-II are caused by the deficiency of many lysosomal enzymes and massive accumulation of undigested substrates.     

The effect of mannose6-phosphate on the turnover of cell surface glycosaminoglycans

Human fibroblasts (SL66) were cultured in medium containing 35SO4(2-) to label the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). After washing, the labeled cells were chased in the presence or absence of mannose6-phosphate (M6P) and the GAGs were analyzed in terms of three arbitrary fractions: 1, Extracellular (soluble medium), 35S radioactivity higher in cultures without M6P than in cultures with M6P. 2, Pericellular (cell surface-associated), 35S radioactivity lower in cultures without M6P than in cultures with M6P. 3, Intracellular (residue within the intact cell), no difference in 35S radioactivity between the two sets of cultures. In addition, when the 35S-labeled GAGs from corresponding cellular compartments derived from cultures with and without M6P were digested with pronase and chondroitin ABC lyase, and then compared by chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B, distinct molecular differences in both the extracellular and pericellular fractions were observed. Several lines of evidence indicate that the effect of M6P on the turnover of 35S-labeled GAGs in our assay system reflects disruption of cell surface lysosomal enzyme activity. For example, when the experiment was performed with I cells, which lack enzymes carrying the M6P marker, no difference was seen in cultures with or without M6P. The addition of lysosomal enzymes derived from normal human fibroblasts to 35SO4-labeled I cells, however, resulted in the turnover of pericellular GAGs and this effect was inhibited by M6P. These results suggest that one possible function of cell surface receptors recognizing the M6P moiety of lysosomal enzymes is to anchor certain of these enzymes proximate to their substrates at the cell surface.     

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of fibroblast beta-glucuronidase by peritoneal macrophages

beta-Glucuronidase secreted by mouse 3T3 fibroblasts in vitro was taken up into mouse peritoneal macrophages and into human fibroblasts by a process which was rapid and saturable. High concentrations of mannose-containing compounds inhibited uptake into macrophages but had no effect on uptake into fibroblasts. Mannose-6-phosphate inhibited uptake into both types of cell, reducing uptake into macrophages by 34% and abolishing uptake into fibroblasts completely at a concentration of 5 mM. Fructose-1-phosphate was almost equally as effective at inhibiting uptake into fibroblasts but had no effect on macrophages. Pre-treatment of beta-glucuronidase with alkaline phosphatase totally prevented its uptake into fibroblasts but had no effect on its uptake into macrophages. These results indicate that fibroblasts can secrete a lysosomal enzyme in a form recognised as a high uptake ligand not only by other fibroblasts but also by peritoneal macrophages and that endocytosis appears to be mediated by different receptors present on each type of cell. This has important implications for the potential treatment of mucopolysaccharidoses by fibroblast transplants.     

Is movement of mannose 6-phosphate-specific receptor triggered by binding of lysosomal enzymes?

Mannose 6-phosphate-specific receptors with an apparent molecular mass of 215,000 are present in fibroblasts at the cell surface and in intracellular membranes. The cell surface receptors mediate endocytosis of exogenous lysosomal enzymes and exchange with the intracellular receptors, which function in the sorting of endogenous lysosomal enzymes. In the present study, several methods independent of receptor ligands were designed in order to examine the exchange of receptors under conditions where receptor-ligand complexes do not dissociate (weak bases and monensin) or where receptor-ligand complexes are not formed due to absence of endogenous ligands as a result of inhibition of protein synthesis. Weak bases and monensin reduce the concentration of receptors at the cell surface by 20-30% and free cell surface receptors were replaced by occupied receptors. The latter continued to be exchanged with internal ligand-occupied receptors and the rates of the exchange were similar to the control values. The exchange of receptors between the cell surface and internal membranes was also not affected when the receptor ligands were depleted from the transport compartments by treating the cells with cycloheximide for up to 10 h. We conclude from these results that movement of mannose 6-phosphate-specific receptors along the endocytosis and sorting pathways is constitutive and not triggered by binding or dissociation of ligands.     

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is not required for recycling of mannose 6-phosphate receptors from late endosomes to the trans-Golgi network.

Mannose 6-phosphate receptors carry newly synthesized lysosomal hydrolases from the trans-Golgi network to endosomes, then return to the trans-Golgi network for another round of enzyme delivery. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, interferes with the delivery of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes to lysosomes. We used two independent assays of mannose 6-phosphate receptor trafficking to determine the precise step that is blocked by wortmannin. Using an assay that monitors resialylation of desialylated cell surface 300-kDa mannose 6-phosphate receptors, we found that receptor endocytosis and transport to the trans-Golgi network were not inhibited by 2 microM wortmannin. In addition, this concentration of drug had no effect on the transport of the mannose 6-phosphate receptor from late endosomes to the trans-Golgi network using a system that reconstitutes this transport process in cell extracts. Under the same conditions, wortmannin significantly inhibited the generation of mature cathepsin D. In addition, the structurally unrelated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, was also without effect when added to in vitro endosome-trans-Golgi network transport reactions. These experiments demonstrate that the interruption in lysosomal enzyme targeting is most likely due to a wortmannin-sensitive process required for the export of these receptors from the trans-Golgi network, consistent with the established role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the equivalent transport process in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.