Morphological characterization of the pathway of endocytosis and intracellular processing of transferrin and alpha-fetoprotein in human T lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA)

Covalent conjugates of transferrin (Tf) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) have been used to follow, at the ultrastructural level, the uptake and the intracellular pathway of these proteins in peripheral blood human lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to blast formation. Both proteins enter specifically the cells via vesicles (60-70 nm in diameter) and endosomes. They are then observed in multivesicular bodies and tubular vesicular elements in the Golgi region. AFP is thus found in the same subcellular compartments as Tf and is probably also recycled, as most of the 125I-labeled protein leaves the cells undegraded. Unstimulated lymphocytes do not internalize significantly AFP-HRP. The uptake of a noncovalent conjugate of AFP-HRP and [3H]-arachidonic acid [3H-(20:4)] is usually poor, at 37 degrees C, in unstimulated lymphocytes as well as, at 4 degrees C, in lymphocytes stimulated for 72 h. Stimulated lymphocytes incubated at 37 degrees C with the radioactive conjugate show a heavy labeling of cell organelles and more particularly of lipid droplets. AFP could regulate the intracellular delivery of fatty acid molecules.     

High-affinity receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide on human myeloma cells

Cultured human myeloma cells of the U266 line and leukemic T cells of the Jurkat line bound synthetic [125I]Tyr10-vasoactive intestinal peptide1-28 ([125I]VIP1-28) specifically and with an affinity similar to that of neuroendocrine cells. Specific binding reached equilibrium after 2 h at 22 degrees C for both myeloma cells and T cells, attained a maximum of 57 to 71% of total binding, and was reversed in 1.5 to 3 h by an excess of non-radioactive VIP1-28. Analyses of the ligand concentration-dependence of binding of the ligand concentration-dependence of binding of [125I]VIP1-28 revealed a mean Kd of 7.6 nM for a mean of 41,207 receptors per myeloma cell and 5.2 nM for 12,266 receptors per T cell. The relative affinity of binding of mast cell-derived VIP10-28 free acid and synthetic analogues suggested differences in specificity between lymphocyte and neuroendocrine receptors. Distinct sets of receptors thus appear to mediate the effects of VIP on functions of both antibody-producing cells and T cells.     

Enhanced binding of low and high density lipoproteins to human adipocyte plasma membranes: effects of temperature and proteases

The specific binding of 125I-labelled low density lipoprotein ([125I]LDL to human adipocyte plasma membranes was higher at 37 than at 0 degree C. Prior treatment of membranes with pronase had no effect on LDL binding measured at 0 degree C but consistently stimulated binding at 37 degrees C. Plasmin was similar to pronase in enhancing LDL-specific binding, but thrombin was not as effective. 125I-labelled high density lipoprotein ([125I]HDL2) specific binding to human adipocyte plasma membranes was similarly sensitive to temperature and pronase treatment. Addition of the protease inhibitor aprotinin in the adipocyte membrane binding assay significantly reduced [125I]LDL binding at 37 degrees C (p less than 0.05), suggesting the involvement of a protease activity intrinsic to the lipoproteins and (or) membranes. These data demonstrate that both LDL and HDL binding in human adipocyte plasma membranes can be "up-regulated" by specific proteolytic perturbations in a temperature-dependent manner.     

Internalization and degradation of peptides of the bombesin family in Swiss 3T3 cells occurs without ligand-induced receptor down-regulation.

The binding of [125I]gastrin releasing peptide ([125I]GRP) to Swiss 3T3 cells at 37 degrees C increases rapidly, reaching a maximum after 30 min and decreasing afterwards. The decrease in cell-associated radioactivity at this temperature is accompanied by extensive degradation of the labelled peptide. At 4 degrees C equilibrium binding is achieved after 6 h and [125I]GRP degradation is markedly inhibited. Extraction of surface-bound ligand at low pH demonstrates that the iodinated peptide is internalized within minutes after addition to 3T3 cells at 37 degrees C. The rate of internalization is strikingly temperature-dependent and is virtually abolished at 4 degrees C. In addition, lysomotropic agents including chloroquine increase the cell-associated radioactivity in cells incubated with [125I]GRP. The binding of [125I]GRP to Swiss 3T3 cells was not affected by pretreatment for up to 24 h with either GRP or bombesin at mitogenic concentrations. Furthermore, pretreatment with GRP did not reduce the affinity labelling of a Mr 75,000-85,000 surface protein recently identified as a putative receptor for bombesin-like peptides. These results demonstrate that while peptides of the bombesin family are rapidly internalized and degraded by Swiss 3T3 cells, the cell surface receptors for these molecules are not down-regulated.     

Pharmacological Characterization of Cholinergic Receptors in a Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line

A human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR32, has been characterized as far as morphology, membrane receptors for neurotransmitters, and uptake and release of [3H]3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine ([3H]dopamine). These cells expressed at their surface both nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors, revealed by [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin and [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate ([3H]QNB) binding, respectively. [125I]alpha-Bungarotoxin binding was efficiently inhibited by alpha-bungarotoxin, nicotine, carbachol, and d-tubocurarine. [3H]QNB binding was competitively inhibited by atropine, pirenzepine, and carbachol. Hexamethonium did not affect the binding of either ligand. In competition experiments with [3H]QNB, pirenzepine recognized only one binding site with "low affinity," and carbachol recognized two sites with different affinities. beta-adrenergic receptors were present in a very low amount, whereas alpha-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors were not detectable. IMR32 cells had an imipramine-sensitive [3H]dopamine uptake, but carbachol, high levels of K+, the calcium ionophore A23187, and alpha-latrotoxin were not able to induce release of [3H]dopamine that had been taken up. The ultrastructural analysis showed that IMR32 cells contained very few dense-core vesicles, suggesting a low storage capacity for neurotransmitter. These cells could be an useful in vitro model for studying neurotransmitter receptors of the human CNS.     

The hemopexin receptor on the cell surface of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells can be induced to differentiate to granulocytes, under the conditions of cultures in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Examination of the binding of 125I-labeled hemopexin to DMSO-induced HL-60 cells showed that the density of hemopexin receptors on the induced-cells was 1.35 times that on the uninduced cells. We proposed that a specific receptor for hemopexin was present on the plasma membranes of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The binding of human [125I]hemopexin to human PMNs at 4 degrees C was saturable with time and with increasing concentrations of [125I]hemopexin. Scatchard analysis of the binding revealed the presence of approximately 5.7 x 10(4) binding sites per cell with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 2.3 x 10(-9) M. [125I]Hemopexin was rapidly bound then dissociated from the cells after the release of heme, when the cells were incubated with radioactive hemopexin at 37 degrees C. Incubation of the cells with the [59Fe]heme-hemopexin complex resulted in an accumulation of [59Fe]heme in the cells, with a temperature of 37 degrees C but not that of 4 degrees C. Ouabain or NaF inhibited not only the binding of [125I]hemopexin to PMNs but also the uptake of [59Fe]heme from [59Fe]heme hemopexin by the cells. Neither NH4 Cl nor chloroquine inhibited the uptake. Detergent extracts of 125I-labeled PMNs were incubated with a hemopexin-coupled Sepharose CL-6B. A polypeptide reacting with hemopexin-Sepharose was estimated to have a molecular weight of 80,000, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate. We propose that PMNs take up heme from hemopexin, as mediated by the 80,000 dalton receptor for hemopexin.     

Comparison of two radiolabeled quinuclidinyl benzilate ligands for the characterization of the human peripheral lung muscarinic receptor

Quinuclidinyl benzilate, a muscarinic antagonist, has previously been used in its tritiated form ([3H]-QNB) to study the lung muscarinic receptor. We investigated whether a newer iodinated form of QNB ([125I]-QNB) of higher specific activity would be an appropriate ligand to study the human peripheral lung muscarinic receptor. Both the tritiated and iodinated ligands bound specifically to human lung at 23 degrees C. At 37 degrees C the specific binding of [3H]-QNB increased slightly, but no specific binding of [125I]-QNB was found. The data from multiple equilibrium binding experiments covering a wide range of radiolabeled QNB concentrations were combined and analyzed using the computer modeling program, LIGAND. The tritiated QNB identified a single affinity human lung binding site with a Kd of 46 +/- 9 pM and a receptor concentration of 34 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein. The iodinated QNB identified a single higher affinity human lung binding site (Kd = 0.27 +/- 0.32 pM) of much smaller quantity (0.62 +/- 0.06 fmol/mg protein). Competition studies comparing the binding of unlabeled QNB relative to labeled QNB indicated that unlabeled QNB had the same Kd as that measured for [3H]-QNB, but a 5 log greater Kd than that measured for [125I]-QNB. Other muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists competed with [3H]-QNB, but not [125I]-QNB for binding to muscarinic receptors with the expected magnitude and rank order of potency. We conclude that of the 2 radiolabeled forms of QNB available, only the tritiated form should be used to study the human peripheral lung muscarinic receptor.     

Characteristics of ceruloplasmin interaction with a specific receptor of human erythrocytes

The equilibrium binding of ([125I]ceruloplasmin) ([125I]CP) to a specific receptor of human erythrocytes was investigated. It was shown that reaching the binding equilibrium is a slow process. A strong dependence of binding on Ca2+ concentration (from 0.1 to 1 mM) was revealed; the optimal values were achieved at millimolar concentrations of Ca2+.Mg2+ do not affect the binding of [125I]CP. Under conditions of optimal binding (0.01 M Tris-HCl buffer pH 7.4 containing 158 mM NaCl and 1 mM Ca2+, 4 degrees C), the values of constants for [125I]CP binding to intact erythrocytes (Kd = 1.0 nm) and to membrane fragments (Kd = 0.8 nM) as well as the number of binding sites (16.3 X 10(-15) mol per 40,000,000 erythrocytes) were determined. No ceruloplasmin transport across the erythrocyte membrane was observed. This finding and the similarity of Kd values for ceruloplasmin binding to membrane fragments and to intact erythrocytes indicate that the effect of ceruloplasmin on human erythrocytes is due to the protein molecule interaction with membrane receptors.     

Identification of a putative thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor in human platelet membranes

The binding of the competitive thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) antagonist (9,11-dimethylmethano-11, 12-methano-16-(3-aza-15 alpha beta-omega-tetranor-TXA2) ([125I]PTA-OH) to membranes prepared from human platelets was characterized. [125I]PTA-OH binding to membranes from human platelets was saturable, displaceable, and dependent on protein concentration. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding carried out at 30 degrees C revealed one class of binding sites with a Kd of 30 +/- 4 nM and a Bmax of 1.8 +/- 0.3 pmol/mg of protein (n = 5). Kinetic analysis of the binding of [125I]PTA-OH at 0 degrees C yielded a k1 of 1.35 X 10(6) M-1 min-1 and a k-1 of 0.032 min-1, Kd = k-1/k1 = 24 nM. The potencies of a series of TXA2/PGH2 antagonists as inhibitors of [125I]PTA-OH binding was correlated with their potencies as inhibitors of platelet aggregation induced by the TXA2/PGH2 mimetic, U46619 (1 microM) (r = 0.93, p less than 0.01). A series of TXA2/PGH2 mimetics also displaced [125I]PTA-OH from its binding site, and their potencies as inhibitors of [125I]PTA-OH binding were correlated with their potencies as stimulators of platelet aggregation (r = 0.91, p less than 0.05). The IC50 values for displacement of [125I]PTA-OH by PGF2 alpha, PGD2, and the stable PGI2 analog Iloprost were greater than 25 microM, suggesting that [125I]PTA-OH does not bind to other known platelet prostaglandin receptors. These data are consistent with the notion that this binding site may represent the platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptor.     

Evidence for a close link between the thyroid hormone transport system and the aromatic amino acid transport system T in erythrocytes

The transport of [125I]triiodothyronine ([125I]T3) and [3H]tryptophan ([3H]Trp) by washed rat erythrocytes was studied at 25 degrees C in the presence of leucine in order to block the neutral amino acid transport system L. Eadie-Hofstee plots of initial velocity data gave the following values of Km (micromolar) and Vmax (nanomole/min/10(8) cells): 0.122 +/- 0.007 and 0.140 +/- 0.021 for T3, and 558 +/- 28 and 17.4 +/- 2.3 for Trp (n = 5). The Trp transport system in rat erythrocytes is similar to the human erythrocyte aromatic amino acid-specific system T described by Rosenberg et al. (Rosenberg, R., Young, J. D., and Ellory, J. C. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 598, 375-384). Unlabeled aromatic amino acids (e.g. Trp, phenylalanine, tyrosine) competitively inhibited [125I]T3 uptake and unlabeled iodothyronine analogues (e.g. T3, D-T3, thyroxine, thyronine) competitively inhibited [3H]Trp uptake. The inhibition constants of these competitors measured with each labeled substrate were highly correlated. N-Ethylmaleimide irreversibly inhibited T3 and Trp transport and each substrate protected the transport system of the other from inactivation by N-ethylmaleimide. The Vmax of T3 and Trp transport by human erythrocytes were 500 and 120 times lower, respectively, than those of rat erythrocytes (0.30 and 126 pmol/min/10(8) cells, respectively). The T3 and Trp transport activities of sheep erythrocytes were undetectable. These results indicate that T3 and Trp either share a common multi-specific transport system or are transported by closely linked systems which interact in the erythrocyte membrane.     

Receptor-mediated uptake and processing of vitamin D-binding protein in human B-lymphoid cells.

Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), a member of a multigene family including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin, is a serum glycoprotein that reversibly binds and transports vitamin D and its metabolites to target cells. In this work, we demonstrate that normal and malignant human B-lymphocytes specifically bind and internalize DBP. Radioiodinated DBP (125I-DBP) was used to follow the uptake of the protein by Raji cells, a human pre-B-lymphoma cell line. Time course studies of DBP uptake by these cells exhibited a saturable profile at both 4 and 37 degrees C. The binding saturation curve obtained by incubating Raji cells at 4 degrees C with different concentrations (1.5 nM to 1.5 microM) of 125I-DBP showed two saturation plateaus; Scatchard analysis showed the presence of two groups of receptor sites with a Kd1 of 2.04 x 10(-7) M (n1 = 42,161 +/- 4,336 sites/cell) and a Kd2 of 1.01 x 10(-6) M (n2 = 198,000 +/- 48,000 sites/cell). After incubation of Raji cells at 37 degrees C with both fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and horseradish peroxidase conjugates, DBP was internalized and could be localized in the cytoplasm. DBP-horseradish peroxidase conjugates were used to follow the uptake and to determine the endocytic pathway of the protein in Raji cells. The initial steps, contrary to those observed for AFP, did not apparently involve coated pits and vesicles. Small vesicles (approximately 50-60 nm) with electron-dense DBP-horseradish peroxidase reaction products were observed that could fuse with large endosomes. These endosomes appeared dispersed in the cytoplasm with some preferential localization in the Golgi centrosphere region. Pulse-chase experiments showed that only 10% of the uptaken protein was released in a nondegraded form. Accordingly, most DBP molecules accumulated in endosomes should be degraded in lysosomes, instead of being recycled back to the surface, as in the case of AFP. Contrary to malignant B-cells (Raji), the uptake ability for DBP of normal quiescent B-lymphocytes was very low. Specific binding and internalization of DBP-FITC by these cells were observed following mitogen-induced activation. Significant values of uptake were obtained at 37 degrees C after 72 h of incubation in the presence of pokeweed mitogen. The binding of DBP-FITC was partially inhibited in the presence of an excess of unlabeled protein. Taken together, the actual results suggest that DBP receptors are constitutively expressed by malignant B-cells and in a transitory form by normal B-lymphocytes undergoing mitogen-induced activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Identification of thyroid hormone receptors in rat liver nuclei by photoaffinity labeling with L-thyroxine and triiodo-L-thyronine

Photoaffinity labeling of rat liver nuclear extract with underivatized thyroid hormones was performed after incubation with 1 nM [3',5'-125I]thyroxine ([125I]T4) or [3'-125I]triiodothyronine [( 125I]T3) by irradiation with light above 300 nm. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the covalently photolabeled nuclear extract revealed four distinct hormone binding proteins of molecular masses 96, 56, 45, and 35 kilodaltons (kDa), respectively. Distribution of the hormone among these proteins was similar for T4 and T3. The 56- and 45-kDa proteins were the most prominently labeled. The specificity of the photoattachment of thyroid hormones to these nuclear proteins was verified by the irradiation of eight randomly chosen proteins and two proteins known to have thyroid hormone binding sites, human thyroxine binding globulin and bovine serum albumin. Only the latter two were photolabeled with [125I]T4. Competition studies performed by incubating nuclear extracts with [125I]T4 or [125I]T3 in the presence of increasing amounts of the corresponding unlabeled hormone (10-, 100-, and 1000-fold molar excess) demonstrated that (1) photoattachment of labeled T3 or T4 to the 56- and 45-kDa proteins was inhibited by 67-78% and 73-85%, respectively, after incubation with a 1000-fold molar excess of unlabeled hormone, (2) in the presence of lower molar excesses of the corresponding competitor (10- and 100-fold), photoattachment of labeled T3 or T4 to the 56- and 45-kDa receptors was gradually inhibited to a similar extent on both proteins, and (3) the 35- and 96-kDa proteins, although having thyroid hormone binding sites, display lower binding activities since the inhibition of photoattachment of labeled T3 or T4 by a 1000-fold molar excess of unlabeled hormone did not exceed 30-42% and 26-49%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on the proteins involved in the interaction of high-density lipoprotein with isolated human small intestine epithelial cells.

Treatment of 125I-labelled high-density lipoprotein ([125I]HDL3) with monospecific polyclonal antibodies against apolipoproteins A-I and A-II resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of the [125I]HDL3 binding to isolated human small intestine epithelial cells by 25% and 50%, respectively. Both antibodies also inhibited intracellular degradation of [125I]HDL3 by 80%. Treatment of enterocytes with polyclonal antibody against apolipoprotein A-I binding protein, a putative HDL receptor, inhibited both binding and degradation of [125I]HDL3 by these cells by 50%. Antibodies to apolipoprotein A-I, A-II and apo A-I-binding protein also inhibited [125I]HDL3 binding to cholesterol-loaded cells.     

Role of phorbol ester receptors in the 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced down-regulation of colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) binding to murine peritoneal exudate macrophages

Treatment of murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) by tumor-promoting phorbol esters (TPA) results in a rapid loss of binding activity to radioactive-labeled colony-stimulating factor ([125I]-CSF-1) on the cell surface. The inhibitory effect of TPA on PEM is transient; treated cells recover full [125I]-CSF-1 binding activity in less than 6 hr at 37 degrees C either in the presence or after the removal of added TPA. The role of phorbol ester receptors in the induction of [125I]-CSF-1 binding inhibition was studied. The biologically active ligand [3H]-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]-PDBu) bound specifically to cultured murine PEM. At 0 degree C, stable and equilibrium binding occurred after 2-3 hr. Scatchard analysis revealed linear plots with a dissociation constant and receptor number per cell of 20.9 nM and 3.9 X 10(5)/cell, respectively. Treatment of PEM with biologically active phorbol esters at 37 degrees C rapidly inhibited the binding activity of [3H]-PDBu on cell surface (down-regulation) and rendered these cells refractory to the TPA-induced [125I]-CSF-1 binding inhibition by the subsequent TPA treatment. The inhibition of phorbol ester binding activity on TPA-treated PEM is caused by a reduction in the total number of available phorbol ester receptors rather than by a decrease in receptor affinity as judged by Scatchard analysis. The disappearance of [3H]-PDBu binding activity is reversible and transient. However, unlike CSF-1 receptors the restoration of phorbol ester receptors on TPA-treated PEM is a very slow process; a prolonged incubation of up to 72 hr after the removal of TPA was required for PEM to regain fully its [3H]-PDBu binding activity. Furthermore, the degree of TPA-induced CSF-1-receptor down-regulation is closely associated with the number of available phorbol ester receptors present on PEM at the time of treatment. Thus, the refractoriness to TPA diminished as the phorbol ester receptors on PEM recovered. A 72-hr incubation time at 37 degrees C was needed for PEM to lose their refractoriness and again become fully sensitive to TPA-induced CSF-1-receptor down-regulation. This study provides evidence that the loss of CSF-1-receptors induced by TPA treatment requires the presence of phorbol ester receptors and proceeds presumably via a co-internalization of both CSF-1 and phorbol ester receptors; the refractoriness to TPA is thereby induced by a transient loss of available phorbol ester receptors.     

Characterization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors in the ovary of common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) binding sites have been characterized in the fully mature common carp ovary, using an analog of salmon GnRH ([D-Arg6,Trp7,Leu8,Pro9-NEt]-GnRH; sGnRH-A) as a labeled ligand. Binding of sGnRH-A to carp follicular membrane preparation was found to be time-, temperature-, and pH-dependent. Optimal binding was achieved after 40 min of incubation at 4 degrees C at pH 7.6; binding was found to be unstable at room temperature. Binding of radioligand was a function of tissue concentration, with a linear correlation over the range of 8.0-40.0 micrograms membrane protein per tube. Incubation of membrane preparations with increasing levels of [125I]sGnRH-A revealed saturable binding at radioligand concentrations greater than 400 nM. The binding of [125I]sGnRH-A to the carp ovary was also found to be reversible; addition of unlabeled sGnRH-A (10(-6) M) after reaching equilibrium resulted in complete dissociation of [125I]sGnRH-A within 30 min, and the log dissociation plot indicated the existence of a single class of binding sites. Addition of unlabeled sGnRH-A displaced the bound [125I]sGnRH-A in a dose-related manner. Hill plot as well as Scatchard analysis suggested the presence of one class of high affinity GnRH binding sites. Bound [125I]sGnRH-A was also found to be displaceable by other GnRH peptides, including sGnRH ([Trp7,Leu8]-GnRH), cGnRH-II ([His5,Trp7,Tyr8]-GnRH) and a GnRH antagonist ([D-pGlu1,D-Phe2,D-PTrp3,6]-GnRH; GnRH-ANT) in a parallel fashion, indicating that these peptides bind to the same class of binding sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of ligand binding and processing by bombesin receptors in an insulin-secreting cell line.

Bombesin is a tetradecapeptide which stimulates insulin secretion in vivo by isolated islets and by HIT-T15 cells, a clonal line of hamster pancreatic-islet cells. In the present study we have used [125I-Tyr4]bombesin to characterize bombesin receptors in HIT-T15 cells. [125I-Tyr4]Bombesin binding was time- and temperature-dependent: maximum binding occurred after 45 min, 90 min and 10 h at 37, 22 and 4 degrees C respectively. Thereafter, cell-associated radioactivity declined at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C. Scatchard analysis of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding measured at 4 degrees C showed that HIT-T15 cells contain a single class of binding sites (approximately equal to 85000/cell) with an apparent Kd of 0.9 +/- 0.11 nM. Structurally unrelated neuropeptides did not compete for [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding. However, the relative potencies of bombesin and four bombesin analogues in inhibiting the binding of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin correlated with their ability to stimulate insulin release. Receptor-mediated processing of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin was examined by using an acid wash (0.2 M-acetic acid/0.5 M-NaCl, pH 2.5) to dissociate surface-bound peptide from the cells. Following [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding at 4 degrees C, more than 85% of the cell-associated radioactivity could be released by acid. When the temperature was then increased to 37 degrees C, the bound radioactivity was rapidly (t1/2 less than 3 min) converted into an acid-resistant state. These results indicate that receptor-bound [125I-Tyr4]bombesin is internalized in a temperature-dependent manner. In fact, the entire ligand-receptor complex appeared to be internalized, since pretreatment of cells with 100 nM-bombesin for 90 min at 37 degrees C decreased the subsequent binding of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin by 90%. The chemical nature of the cell-associated radioactivity was determined by reverse-phase chromatography of the material extracted from cells after a 30 min binding incubation at 37 degrees C. Although 70% of the saturably bound radioactivity was co-eluted with intact [125I-Tyr4]bombesin 90% of the radioactivity subsequently dissociated from cells chromatographed as free iodide. At least some of the degradation of receptor-bound [125I-Tyr4]bombesin appeared to occur in lysosomes, since chloroquine increased the cellular accumulation of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin at 37 degrees C and slowed the release of radioactivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

IL-1 and TNF transmodulate epidermal growth factor receptors by a protein kinase C-independent mechanism

The effect of the human rIL-1 alpha and rTNF-alpha on the binding of 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor ([125I]EGF) to its receptor (EGF-R) has been studied in human gingival fibroblasts (HuGi). Incubation of these cells with recombinant cytokines at 37 degrees C caused a rapid, dose-dependent decrease in their ability to subsequently bind subsaturating levels of [125I]EGF at 4 degrees C. Inhibition was evident at 5 min after addition of cytokines, reached a maximal level (60-70% reduction) after 15 to 30 min, and declined thereafter. Normal EGF binding was attained by 2 h. Half-maximal inhibition of EGF binding occurred at 10 pM IL-1 and 50 pM TNF. The two cytokines were not additive in their effect. Competition experiments at 4 degrees C showed that the cytokines did not interact directly with EGF-R; Scatchard analysis of binding of [125I]EGF to HuGi after treatment with IL-1 and TNF revealed an increase in EGF-R Kd from 0.75 nM to 2.9 nM with no change in receptor number. The effect of IL-1 and TNF on EGF-R was compared with that of the tumor-promotor PMA which is known to "transmodulate" EGF-R affinity by activating protein kinase C which then phosphorylates EGF-R. PMA caused a greater inhibition of EGF binding to HuGi (80 to 85% inhibition; ED50 = 500 pM), and recovery of binding was much slower. Importantly, in HuGi made deficient in protein kinase C by prolonged incubation with PMA, addition of fresh PMA no longer affected EGF binding, while the response to IL-1 and TNF was intact. Cytokine- but not PMA-mediated EGF-R transmodulation was partially reversed by treatment of the cells with millimolar concentrations of the kinase inhibitor amiloride. HuGi were incubated with H3 32PO4, stimulated with PMA or cytokines, and EGF-R were immunoprecipitated; IL-1 and TNF, like PMA, caused a 2- to 5-fold increase in receptor phosphorylation. We conclude that occupation of IL-1 and TNF-R activates a protein kinase, distinct from kinase C, for which EGF-R is a substrate.     

Binding, internalization, and degradation of epidermal growth factor by balb 3T3 and BP3T3 cells: relationship to cell density and the stimulation of cell proliferation.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the growth of both benzo[a]pyrene-transformed Balb 3T3 cells (BP3T3) and untransformed Balb 3T3 cells. We describe here the binding, internalization, and degradation of [125I]-EGF by BP3T3 cells and 3T3 cells. Binding of [125I]-EGF reaches a maximum after 45 to 90 minutes incubation at 37 degrees C. In both BP3T3 and 3T3 cells the extent of EGF binding required to stimulate DNA synthesis is density dependent; sparse cultures require a 15-30% occupancy to elicit a maximal response whereas dense cultures require a 70-85% occupancy. At physiological concentrations the total binding of [125I]-EGF to 3T3 cells is higher than to BP3T3 cells, and this difference increases at higher cell densities. The rate of degradation of [125I]-EGF is directly proportional to the total [125I]-EGF binding in each cell type. This supports the hypothesis that one cause of the diminished serum requirement of BP3T3 cells is a reduced rate of utilization of serum growth factors.     

Interactions between the receptors for platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor

Preincubation of Swiss 3T3 cells or human fibroblasts with purified platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C rapidly inhibits subsequent binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF). The effect does not result from competition by PDGF for binding to the EGF receptor since (a) very low concentrations of PDGF are effective, (b) cells with EGF receptors but no PDGF receptors are not affected, and (c) the inhibition persists even if the bound PDGF is eluted before incubating the cells with 125I-EGF. PDGF does not affect 125I-insulin binding nor does EGF affect 125I-PDGF binding under these conditions. Endothelial cell-derived growth factor also competes for binding to PDGF receptors and inhibits 125I-EGF binding. The inhibition demonstrated by PDGF seems to result from an increase in the Kd for 125I-EGF binding with no change in the number of EGF receptors.     

Calcitonin receptors of human osteoclastoma

Osteoclast-rich cultures were prepared by disaggregation of osteoclastomas (giant cell tumour of bone) and settlement onto glass or plastic surfaces. Autoradiography using [125I]-salmon calcitonin ([125I]-sCT) revealed specific binding only to multinucleate giant cells (osteoclasts) and a minor population of mononuclear cells. [125I]-sCT competitive binding studies indicated a Kd of 5 x 10(-10) M and receptor number of approximately 1 million sites/osteoclast. sCT treatment resulted in a dose-dependent rise in cAMP (EC50 10(-10) M). Homogenates of an osteoclastoma also demonstrated specific binding of [125I]-sCT. Chemical cross-linking of a labelled synthetic sCT derivative. [125I]-[Arg11,18,Lys14]-sCT, using disuccinimidyl suberate, resulted in labelling of a receptor component of approximate Mr 85-90,000. The multinucleate giant cells (osteoclasts) of human osteoclastomas possess large number of CT receptors which exhibit the same binding kinetics and apparent Mr as those of other CT target cells.