Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and somatomedin C regulate G1 progression in competent BALB/c-3T3 cells

The activity in platelet-poor plasma that allowed density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells rendered competent by a transient exposure to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to traverse G1 and enter the S phase has been termed progression activity. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and somatomedin C-supplemented medium was shown to be capable of replacing the progression activity of 5% platelet-poor plasma (PPP) for competent density-inhibited BALB/c-3T3 cells. Exposure of competent cells to medium supplemented with EGF and somatomedin C reduced the 12 h minimum G1 lag time found in plasma-supplemented medium by 2 h. It is suggested that the reduction in the minimum time required for progression through G1 is due to the availability of free, unbound somatomedin C. Complete G1 traverse required both EGF and somatomedin C; however, the traverse of the last 6 h of G1 and entry into the S phase required only somatomedin C. Though EGF and somatomedin C could replace the G1 phase progression activity of plasma, medium supplemented with EGF and somatomedin C did not support complete cell cycle traverse or growth of sparse cultures of BALB/c-3T3 cells.     

Control of the Balb/c-3T3 cell cycle by nutrients and serum factors: analysis using platelet-derived growth factor and platelet-poor plasma.

Much controversy regarding the relationship between nutrients and serum in regulation of cell growth can be reconciled by recognizing that serum contains multiple factors which regulate different events in the cell cycle. Serum was fractionated into a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which induces cells to become competent to synthesize DNA, and plasma which allows competent cells to traverse G0/G1 and enter the S phase. Nutrients are not required for the cellular response to PDGF; however amino acids are required for plasma to promote the entry of PDGF-treated, competent cells into S phase. The nutrient independent, PDGF-modulated, growth regulatory event (competence) is located 12 hours prior to the G1/S phase boundary in quiescent, density-arrested Balb/c-3T3 cells. The nutrient dependent, plasma-modulated event is located six hours prior to the G1/S phase boundary and corresponds in concentration of amino acids required for DNA synthesis. Infection of density-arrested Balb/c3T3 cells with SV40 overrides both the nutrient independent and the nutrient dependent growth regulatory events.     

Identification of a BALB/c-3T3 cell protein modulated by platelet-derived growth factor.

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells to synthesize a protein (pII; Mr, 35,000) that is constitutively synthesized by spontaneously transformed BALB/c-3T3 (ST2-3T3) cells which do not require PDGF for growth. Antisera against a major excreted protein family (MEP) of retrovirus-transformed cells quantitatively precipitated cellular pII. PDGF-stimulated pII has the same molecular weight, a similar charge, and similar antigenic determinants as authentic MEP isolated from ST2-3T3 or retrovirus-transformed cells. MEP represented about 2% of the nonnuclear proteins synthesized by ST2-3T3 cells and 0.3 to 0.6% of the proteins synthesized by PDGF-treated BALB/c-3T3 cells, a three- to sixfold increase over the background. In BALB/c-3T3 cells, less PDGF was required for pII (MEP) synthesis than for DNA synthesis. PDGF induced a selective increase in pII (MEP) within 40 min. Such preferential synthesis was inhibited by brief treatment with actinomycin D, suggesting a requirement for newly formed RNA. The constitutive synthesis of pII (MEP) by ST2-3T3 cells was not inhibited by actinomycin D. Five spontaneously or chemical carcinogen-transformed tumorigenic BALB/c-3T3 cell lines were studied; they neither required PDGF for growth nor responded to it. These cell lines became arrested at confluence with a G1 DNA content. Each of these independently isolated lines synthesized pII (MEP) constitutively. Thus, the synthesis of pII (MEP) may be required, but is not sufficient, for PDGF-modulated DNA synthesis.     

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is required only during the traverse of early G1 in PDGF stimulated density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells

Density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells that had received a transient exposure to PDGF and were then transferred to medium containing only EGF and somatomedin C (Sm-C) began DNA synthesis after the G0/G1 lag. Supraphysiological concentrations of insulin could be employed to replace the Sm-C requirement. This G0/G1 lag phase was bisected by the requirement for the exogenous presence of EGF. Our data indicated that EGF was required during the traverse of only the first half of G0/G1 phase (6 h) and not during the traverse of late G1. Subphysiological serum concentrations of Sm-C were also necessary to be present with EGF for progression through early G0/G1; however, traverse of the final half of G0/G1 and commitment to DNA synthesis required the presence of Sm-C. It was found that physiological concentrations of Sm-C were required for the traverse late G1. The requirement for Sm-C for G0/G1 traverse of BALB/c-3T3 cells as opposed to human fibroblasts or glial cells may be due to a difference in endogenous synthesis of an insulin-like growth factor. Our data are in close agreement with previous reports that EGF is only required for approximately the first 8 h during traverse of the G0/G1 phase. The requirement for EGF to be present for the first 6 h of G0/G1 could result from a continued or repetitious event or by more than one distinct EGF-requiring event.     

Post-transcriptional control of protein synthesis in Balb/c-3T3 cells by platelet-derived growth factor and platelet-poor plasma

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and platelet-poor plasma, which lacks PDGF, both induce a rapid increase in the rate of total protein synthesis within quiescent, density-arrested Balb/c-3T3 cells. This stimulation of protein synthesis is associated with an increased aggregation of ribosomes into polyribosomes. Nuclear functions are not required for this response, as demonstrated by the observation that this stimulation of protein synthesis occurs in cells pretreated with actinomycin D and in enucleated cells (cytoplasts). The response to PDGF persists even after PDGF has been removed from the culture medium, but in contrast, when plasma is removed from the medium, polysomes disaggregate and protein synthesis declines. PDGF and plasma do not function synergistically to increase protein synthesis, whereas they do to induce optimum DNA synthesis. Thus stimulation of the translational apparatus may be necessary for the mitogenic response of Balb/c-3T3 cells to growth factors, but it is not by itself sufficient.     

Intracellular univalent cations and the regulation of the BALB/c-3T3 cell cycle

Addition of serum to density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells causes a rapid increase in uptake of Na+ and K+, followed 12 h later by the onset of DNA synthesis. We explored the role of intracellular univalent cation concentrations in the regulation of BALB/c-3T3 cell growth by serum growth factors. As cells grew to confluence, intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations ([Na+]i and [K+]i) fell from 40 and 180 to 15 and 90 mmol/liter, respectively. Stimulation of growth of density-inhibited cells by the addition of serum growth factors increased [Na]i by 30% and [K+]i by 13-25% in early G0/G1, resulting in an increase in total univalent cation concentration. Addition of ouabain to stimulated cells resulted in a concentration-dependent steady decrease in [K+]i and increase in [Na+]i. Ouabain (100 microM) decreased [K+]i to approximately 60 mmol/liter by 12 h, and also prevented the serum- stimulated increase in 86Rb+ uptake. However, 100 microM ouabain did not inhibit DNA synthesis. A time-course experiment was done to determine the effect of 100 microM ouabain on [K+]i throughout G0/G1 and S phase. The addition of serum growth factors to density-inhibited cells stimulated equal rates of entry into the S phase in the presence or absence of 100 microM ouabain. However, in the presence of ouabain, there was a decrease in [K+]i. Therefore, an increase in [K+]i is not required for entry into S phase; serum growth factors do not regulate cell growth by altering [K+]i. The significance of increased total univalent cation concentration is discussed.     

Elevated intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP inhibited serum-stimulated, density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells in mid G1

The stimulation of DNA synthesis in quiescent, density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells by platelet-derived growth factor in plasma-supplemented medium was inhibited by the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and cholera toxin, although neither IBMX or cholera toxin when used alone inhibited the stimulation of DNA synthesis. The cells were reversibly inhibited in mid G1 at a point 6 hr prior to the initiation of DNA synthesis. The inhibition of cell cycle traverse was associated with a 10-15 fold increase in cellular cyclic AMP concentration over basal levels. The reversal of this inhibition by removal of IBMX was correlated with a dramatic decrease in cyclic AMP levels. The traverse of G1 and the initiation of DNA synthesis after release from the cholera toxin and IBMX inhibition was dependent on the presence of plasma in the medium. Either somatomedin C (10-20 ng/ml) or insulin (10(-6)-10(-5) M) completely replaced the plasma requirement for late G1 progression and entry into S phase. Once the inhibited cells were released from the IBMX and cholera toxin block a subsequent increase in cyclic AMP did not prevent entry into S phase. The presence of cholera toxin alone inhibited the stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts. The elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels in the human dermal fibroblasts by cholera toxin was two to three fold greater than that found in the BALB/c-3T3 cells in the presence of cholera toxin and the IBMX.     

Centriole deciliation associated with the early response of 3T3 cells to growth factors but not to SV40.

BALB/c-3T3 cells which are growth-arrested by high cell density or low serum have ciliated, unduplicated centrioles. Stimulation of these quiescent cells by serum is associated with a rapid (within 1–2 hr) deciliation of the centriole, followed by reciliation within 6–10 hr. This transient deciliation of the centriole is induced by the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) component of serum. The cells treated with PDGF became competent to replicate their DNA; most PDGF treated cells, however, did not progress from Go toward S phase unless they were incubated with the platelet-poor plasma component of serum. Addition of CaCl₂ or Fibroblast Growth Factor to the media mimicked PDGF by producing both centriole deciliation and competence to replicate DNA. In fact, over a range of concentrations of each of these factors, only doses which produced centriole deciliation were capable of producing competence for DNA synthesis. Plasma alone or factors such as Multiplication Stimulating Activity produced neither centriole deciliation nor competence; these agents were, however, required for the optimum progression of competent cells into DNA synthesis. In contrast, infection with SV40 induced host cell DNA synthesis without an initial transient deciliation of the centriole. Thus while growth factors may have to induce centriole deciliation for 3T3 cells to synthesize DNA, abortive transformation by SV40 overrides this requirement.     

Increases in cyclic AMP potentiate competence formation in BALB/c-3T3 cells

The ability of platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor to stimulate the initiation of DNA synthesis in quiescent BALB/c-3T3 cells was enhanced by cholera toxin. However, the addition of cholera toxin to unsupplemented medium was not mitogenic, nor did cholera toxin increase the mitogenic potential of mediuum supplemented with platelet-poor plasma. The enhancement of serum-induced DNA synthesis by cholera toxin was due to a specific effect on competence formation and not plasma-controlled progression. Cholera toxin increased the rate of competence formation during a transient exposure of quiescent cells to platelet-derived growth factor; this rate was further increased by the addition of isobutylmethylxanthine, a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations in quiescent BALB/c-3T3 cells were increased 2- to 3-fold after the addition of cholera toxin. The addition of cholera toxin plus 30 m?M isobutylmethylxanthine caused an even greater (7- to 8-fold) increase in the cellular levels of cyclic AMP. That these increases in cyclic AMP concentrations mediated at least part of the increased sensitivity of quiescent cells to competence factors was substantiated by the observation that 0.01 to 1 mM monobutrylcyclic AMP or 8-bromocyclic AMP also caused a concentration-dependent potentiation of competence formation in quiescent cells during a transient exposure to platelet-derived growth factor.     

Retinyl acetate inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced Ca2+ signals in C3H 10T1/2 fibroblasts

Mitogenic stimulation of density-arrested C3H 10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts by serum or purified platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was potently inhibited by retinyl acetate (RAc; IC50 = 0.1 microgram/ml, 0.3 x 10(-6) M) when administered during the first 2 hours of mitogen exposure. This inhibitory effect of RAc coincided with a period early in the cell growth-division cycle when density-arrested C3H 10T1/2 cells stimulated by PDGF were found to require physiological levels of extracellular Ca2+ for the transition from G0 to G1 of the cell cycle. To determine if the inhibitory effect of RAc was mediated through alterations in the Ca2+ signaling pathway induced by mitogens, we examined Fura-2-loaded fibroblasts for changes in the Ca2+ response elicited by PDGF. Addition of PDGF (5 ng/ml) induced a transient increase in the [Ca2+]i that was not significantly effected by the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Treatment of cells with RAc caused a concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of this PDGF-stimulated Ca2+ flux (IC50 = 0.45 microgram/ml or 1.5 x 10(-6) M; t1/2 = 15 min), whereas release of intracellularly stored Ca2+ by thrombin was unaffected by RAc (1.2 micrograms/ml, 4 x 10(-6) M). Treatment with RAc did not significantly affect PDGF binding to cell surface receptors or the generation of inositol phosphates. These results suggest that the mechanism by which RAc inhibits PDGF- or serum-induced mitogenesis is through modulation of the Ca2+ signal stimulated by PDGF, and thereby depriving the cell of a rise in intracellular Ca2+ necessary for progression through the cell cycle.     

Relationship of cytosolic ion fluxes and protein kinase C activation to platelet-derived growth factor induced competence and growth in BALB/c-3T3 cells

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and other agents that activate protein kinase C (PKC) rapidly alter cytosolic pH (pHi) and intracellular free calcium ([Ca++]i) in BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts. To define whether changes in pHi or [Ca++]i are linked to PDGF-stimulated mitogenesis, these parameters were assessed in control and PKC depleted fibroblasts. PDGF addition to BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts resulted in transient acidification of the cytoplasm followed by prolonged cytosolic alkalinization. Exposure of cells to 12-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a phorbol ester that activates PKC, resulted in cytosolic alkalinization without prior acidification. Overnight incubation with 600 nM TPA decreased the total cell PKC histone phosphorylating activity in BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts by greater than 90%. In PKC-deficient fibroblasts, TPA, and PDGF-induced alkalinization was abolished. In addition, the transient drop in pHi seen initially in control cells treated with PDGF is sustained to the point where pHi is fully 0.6-0.7 pH units below control cell values for up to 30 minutes. PDGF increased [Ca++]i threefold; this transient rise in [Ca++]i was only minimally affected (less than 15%) by lowering of the extracellular calcium level with ethylene glycol bis(b-aminoethyl ether)0 N,N,N' tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or blocking calcium influx with CoCl2. In contrast, 8-(diethylamine)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), an agent thought to inhibit calcium release from intracellular stores, substantially inhibited the rise in [Ca++]i caused by PDGF. TPA and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) increased [Ca++]i but in contrast to PDGF this effect was blocked by pretreatment of cells with EGTA or CoCl2. In PKC-deficient fibroblasts, PDGF still increased [Ca++]i and stimulated DNA synthesis as effectively as in controls. TPA and OAG however, no longer increased [Ca++]i. The continued ability of PDGF to stimulate DNA synthesis in the face of sustained acidification and the absence of PKC activity suggests that cytosolic alkalinization and PKC activation are not essential for PDGF-induced competence in BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts.     

The antiproliferative effect of interferon and the mitogenic activity of growth factors are independent cell cycle events : Studies with vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells

We studied the antagonistic effects of interferon (IFN) and growth factors in G0/G1-arrested normal bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) which were stimulated by serum, or purified platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), supplemented with plasma-derived serum (PDS). The growth response, measured as [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, was dependent on the concentration of the mitogen. Human IFN alpha, recombinant human IFN alpha 2, or a crude bovine-IFN preparation prepared from virus-infected bovine aortic endothelial cells, inhibited SMC growth induced by either serum or PDGF with PDS. The extent of IFN inhibition was inversely related to the concentration of the mitogenic stimulus. We also investigated whether IFN inhibited the early events in G1 phase, stimulated by the competence factor PDGF, or the progression of the cell into the S phase induced by PDS. The results indicated that IFN inhibited these two stages of the G1 phase independently. In addition, we investigated the antiproliferative effect of IFN on bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), which do not respond to PDGF but to the mitogenic activity of fibroblast growth factor (FGF). IFN inhibited the mitogenic activity of FGF in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that the anti-proliferative activity of IFN and the mitogenic effects of different growth factors are independent.     

Effect of ouabain on growth regulation by serum components in Balb/c-3T3 cells: inhibition of entry into S phase by decreased protein synthesis

The effect of inhibition of the cell membrane Na+-K+ pump on the Balb/c-3T3 cell growth cycle was studied. Inhibition of the Na+-K+ pump resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of intracellular K+ concentration ((K+)i). However, inhibition of protein synthesis in Go/G1 and of subsequent entry into S phase occurred only after (K+)i fell below a critical threshold (50-60 mmoles/liter). Thus, when the (K+)i falls below a critical threshold, protein synthesis is inhibited, preventing cells from entering the S phase. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induces cells to become "competent" to traverse the cell cycle; the platelet-poor plasma component of serum allows competent cells to progress through G0/G1 and enter S phase. Inhibition of the Na+-K+ pump did not prevent the induction of competence by PDGF, but it did reversibly inhibit plasma-mediated events in early G0/G1. Similarly, cycloheximide inhibited plasma-mediated events but did not prevent PDGF-induced competence. Thus, protein synthesis may not be required for induction of competence; alternatively, the induction of the competent state may occur in these cells after removal of PDGF and protein synthesis inhibitor. Protein synthesis is required for subsequent plasma-mediated events in G0/G1.     

PDGF stimulates transient phosphorylation of 180,000 dalton protein

Cell-free extracts of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) treated, density-arrested, quiescent BALB/c-3T3 cells are capable of phosphorylating a 180,000 dalton protein (PP180). The phosphorylation of PP180 was observed in SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles of Nonidet P-40 solubilized cell preparations that had been incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP. When quiescent BALB/c-3T3 cell cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C with PDGF, phosphorylation of PP180 in cell extracts could be detected after a 3-min exposure of the intact cells to PDGF, which was maximal after 10-15 minutes and had diminished by 30-60 min. PDGF stimulation of PP180 phosphorylation also was observed in extracts of cells that had been incubated with PDGF at 4 degrees C; however, in contrast to PDGF exposure at 37 degrees C, the ability of cell extracts to phosphorylate PP180 did not decrease even after 4 hr of cell exposure to PDGF at 4 degrees C. When cells exposed to PDGF at 4 degrees C were transferred to 37 degrees C for 30 min, the ability of cell extracts to phosphorylate PP180 decreased to a nonstimulated level. After cells stimulated by PDGF showed a diminished ability to phosphorylate PP180, immediate restimulation with PDGF did not induce the ability to phosphorylate PP180. Incubation for 11 hr at 37 degrees C was required before readdition of PDGF allowed observable phosphorylation of PP180 in cell extracts, but maximum PDGF stimulation of the phosphorylation of PP180 was found after the cells were incubated for 24 hr in culture conditions. The amount of the stimulation of PP180 phosphorylation was dependent on the concentration of PDGF. The stimulation of DNA synthesis by PDGF was correlated to the phosphorylation of PP180. This phosphorylation activity was not observed in extracts of cells that had been treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF), somatomedin C, insulin, plasma, or fibroblast growth factor (FGF). This novel experimental approach allows the investigation of a PDGF-stimulated phosphorylation activity in relation to the cell cycle and growth regulation.     

Purification and characterization of a platelet-derived growth factor and heavy metal-modulated nuclear protein

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor, and heavy metal salts such as sodium arsenite stimulated BALB/c-3T3 cells to synthesize a 31-kDa protein(s) (termed p31) in a concentration-dependent manner. p31 was also synthesized in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). V8 protease digestion of p31 purified from PDGF-, TPA-, and arsenite-treated cells showed identical fragmentation patterns, demonstrating that these agents modulate synthesis of the same (or a highly similar) protein. TPA-induced p31 synthesis was cell cycle-specific, occurring in density-arrested but not exponentially replicating cells. p31 was readily labeled with [35S]methionine but not with [35S]cysteine. Thus it is not a metallothionein. The protein associated with nuclei. It appears to be highly hydrophobic because solubilization required detergents or organic solvents. Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) provided further evidence of hydrophobicity. p31 has been purified to homogeneity using sodium dodecyl sulfate gels with electroelution and reverse-phase HPLC. It has an isoelectric point of 6.8. Its nuclear localization and amino acid analysis demonstrate that p31 is not heme oxygenase, a 32-kDa arsenite-induced microsomal protein. Stimulation of p31 synthesis by growth factors, PDGF and fibroblast growth factor; a tumor promoter, TPA; and heavy metal salts suggests that there is overlap in the pathways for mitogenic stimulation and heavy metal stress.     

Inhibition of early platelet-derived growth factor responses in BALB/c-3T3 cells by interferon

Stimulation of total inositol phosphate production, alteration of cytosolic free calcium [( Ca++]i), vinculin disruption from adhesion plaques, and DNA synthesis caused by PDGF were examined in normal and INF pretreated density arrested BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts. In normal cells, PDGF caused an increase in total inositol phosphates, a rapid, transient increase in [Ca++]i, disappearance of vinculin from adhesion plaques, and stimulation of DNA synthesis. Pretreatment of cells with INF inhibited PDGF-stimulated increases in [Ca++]i, vinculin disruption from adhesion plaques, and DNA synthesis, but had no effect on PDGF-induced increase in total inositol phosphate levels. These findings suggest that INF prevents entry of quiescent BALB/c-3T3 cells into G1 by inhibiting PDGF-induced release of Ca++ from intracellular stores.     

Repression of p27kip1 synthesis by platelet-derived growth factor in BALB/c 3T3 cells.

We have investigated the regulation of p27kip1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, in BALB/c 3T3 cells during growth factor-stimulated transition from quiescence (G0) to a proliferative (G1) state. The level of p27kip1 protein falls dramatically after mitogenic stimulation and is accompanied by a decrease in cyclin E associated p27kip1, as well as a transient increase in cyclin D1-associated p27kip1 that later declines concomitantly with the loss of total p27kip1. Analysis of metabolically labelled cells revealed that cyclin D2, cyclin D3, and cdk4 were also partnered with p27kip1 in quiescent BALB/c 3T3 cells and that this association decreased after platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) treatment. Furthermore, the decline in p27kip1 and reduced association with cyclin D3, initiated by the addition of PDGF but not plasma-derived factors, suggested that these changes are involved in competence, the first step in the exit from G0. Synthesis of p27kip1 as determined by incorporation of [35S]methionine was repressed upon mitogenic stimulation, and PDGF was sufficient to elicit this repression within 2 to 3 h. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated the reduced rate of synthesis was not the result of an increased rate of degradation. Full repression of p27kip1 synthesis required the continued presence of PDGF and failed to occur in the presence of the RNA polymerase inhibitor 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside. These characteristics demonstrate that repression was a late effect of PDGF and was consistent with our finding that conditional expression of activated H-ras did not affect synthesis of p27kip1. Northern (RNA) analysis of p27kip1 mRNA revealed that the repression was not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in p27kip1 mRNA, suggesting that the PDGF-regulated decrease in p27kip1 expression occurred through a translational mechanism.     

Biochemical and functional discrimination of platelet-derived growth factor alpha and beta receptors in BALB/c-3T3 cells.

Three biologically active isoforms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) exist: PDGF-AB, the predominant form in human platelets; PDGF-BB, the product of the c-sis protooncogene; and PDGF-AA. PDGF-BB and PDGF-AB interact with two distinct PDGF receptors (termed alpha and beta) of similar size, whereas PDGF-AA binds alpha receptors only. To dissect alpha and beta receptor-mediated signals, we compared the biological activities of PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB in density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells, which possess a 4:1 ratio of beta to alpha receptors, and assessed the contribution of alpha receptors to PDGF-BB- and PDGF-AB-induced responses. In addition, we describe a convenient method for resolving alpha and beta receptors on one-dimensional protein gels. This protocol involves treatment of cells with neuraminidase, a desialylating agent, and subsequent in vitro autophosphorylation of solubilized cells, and was used to monitor the presence or absence of alpha and beta receptors under various experimental conditions. Our data show that although higher concentrations were required, PDGF-AA stimulated DNA synthesis to the same extent as did PDGF-BB. Both isoforms induced inositol phosphate formation, epidermal growth factor transmodulation, and PDGF receptor autophosphorylation; PDGF-AA, however, was less effective than was PDGF-BB even at doses causing maximal mitogenesis. Pretreatment of cells with PDGF-AA for 30-60 min at 37 degrees C effectively down-regulated alpha receptors as verified by the absence of desialylated alpha receptor phosphorylation. Depletion of alpha receptors did not affect the capacity of PDGF-BB or PDGF-AB to activate the beta receptor tyrosine kinase, as assessed by tyrosine phosphorylation of an endogenous substrate, or stimulate the formation of inositol phosphates. We suggest that alpha and beta receptors independently mediate similar biological responses in BALB/c-3T3 cells, and that alpha receptors are not required for responses induced by PDGF-BB or PDGF-AB.