The epidermal growth factor receptor is associated with actin filaments.

In this paper we describe our investigations on the association of receptors for the epidermal growth factor (EGF) with the cytoskeleton of A431 cells. In order to determine which filamentous system the EGF receptors are associated to, the cytoskeletal fraction to which these receptors bind was isolated. Second, the possible colocalization of EGF receptors with different cytoskeletal elements was examined in A431 cells. By selective extractions of the A431 cytoskeletons, it is shown that more than 90% of the cytoskeleton-associated EGF receptors are removed from the cytoskeletons together with the actin filamentous system. During several cycles of poly- and depolymerization of actin isolated from A431 cells, the EGF receptor precipitates together with the actin containing filaments, indicating that EGF receptors are able to bind in vitro to actin filaments. With immunofluorescence studies we show that EGF receptors especially colocalize with actin filaments. These results demonstrate that the EGF receptor is associated specifically with actin filaments in A431 cells.     

Ligand-induced association of epidermal growth factor receptor to the cytoskeleton of A431 cells

Recently, we have obtained evidence in favor of a structural interaction between the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and the Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeleton of epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Here we present a further analysis of the properties of EGF receptors attached to the cytoskeleton. Steady-state EGF binding studies, analyzed according to the Scatchard method, showed that A431 cells contain two classes of EGF-binding sites: a high-affinity site with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 0.7 nM (7.5 x 10(4) sites per cell) and a low-affinity site with a KD of 8.5 nM (1.9 x 10(6) sites per cell). Non-equilibrium binding studies revealed the existence of two kinetically distinguishable sites: a fast-dissociating site, with a dissociation rate constant (k-1) of 1.1 x 10(-3) s-1 (1.0-1.3 x 10(6) sites per cell) and a slow-dissociating site, with a k-1 of 3.5 x 10(-5) s-1 (0.6-0.7 x 10(6) sites per cell). The cytoskeleton of A431 cells was isolated by Triton X-100 extraction. Scatchard analysis revealed that approximately 5% of the original number of receptors were associated with the cytoskeleton predominantly via high-affinity sites (KD = 1.5 nM). This class of receptors is further characterized by the presence of a fast-dissociating component (k-1 = 2.0 x 10(-3) s-1) and a slow-dissociating component (k-1 = 9.1 x 10(-5) s-1). The distribution between fast and slow sites of the cytoskeleton was similar to that of intact cells (65% fast and 35% slow sites). Incubation of A431 cells for 2 h at 4 degrees C in the presence of EGF resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of EGF receptors associated to the cytoskeleton. These newly cytoskeleton-associated receptors appeared to represent low-affinity binding sites (KD = 7 nM). Dissociation kinetics also revealed an increase of fast-dissociating sites. These results indicate that at 4 degrees C EGF induces the binding of low-affinity, fast-dissociating sites to the cytoskeleton of A431 cells.     

Epidermal growth factor treatment of A431 cells alters the binding capacity and electrophoretic mobility of the cytoskeletally associated epidermal growth factor receptor

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor interacts with structural elements of A431 cells and remains associated with the cytoskeleton following extraction with nonionic detergents. Extraction of cells with 0.15% Triton X-100 resulted in detection of only approximately 40% of the EGF binding sites on the cytoskeleton. If the cells were exposed to EGF prior to extraction, approximately twofold higher levels of low-affinity EGF binding sites were detected. The difference in number of EGF binding sites was not a consequence of differences in numbers of EGF receptors associated with the cytoskeleton; equal amounts of 35S-labeled receptor were immunoprecipitated from the cytoskeletons of both control and EGF-treated cells. The effect of EGF pretreatment on binding activity was coincident with a change in the mobility of the receptor from a doublet of Mr approximately 160-180 kDa to a single sharp band at 180 kDa. The alteration in receptor mobility was not a simple consequence of receptor phosphorylation in that the alteration was not reversed by alkaline phosphatase treatment, nor was the shift produced by treatment of the cells with phorbol ester. The two EGF receptor species demonstrated differential susceptibility to V8 proteinase digestion. The EGF-induced 180 kDa species was preferentially digested by the proteinase relative to the 160 kDa species, indicating that EGF binding results in a conformational change in the receptor. The EGF-mediated preservation of binding activity and altered conformation may be related to receptor oligomerization.     

Biogenesis of the avian erythroid membrane skeleton: receptor-mediated assembly and stabilization of ankyrin (goblin) and spectrin

Ankyrin is an extrinsic membrane protein in human erythrocytes that links the alpha beta-spectrin-based extrinsic membrane skeleton to the membrane by binding simultaneously to the beta-spectrin subunit and to the transmembrane anion transporter. To analyse the temporal and spatial regulation of assembly of this membrane skeleton, we investigated the kinetics of synthesis and assembly of ankyrin ( goblin ) with respect to those of spectrin in chicken embryo erythroid cells. Electrophoretic analysis of Triton X-100 soluble and cytoskeletal fractions show that at steady state both ankyrin and spectrin are detected exclusively in the cytoskeleton. In contrast, continuous labeling of erythroid cells with [35S]methionine, and immunoprecipitation of ankyrin and alpha- and beta-spectrin, reveals that newly synthesized ankyrin and spectrin are partitioned into both the cytoskeletal and Triton X-100 soluble fractions. The soluble pools of ankyrin and beta-spectrin reach a plateau of labeling within 1 h, whereas the soluble pool of alpha-spectrin is substantially larger and reaches a plateau more slowly, reflecting an approximately 3:1 ratio of synthesis of alpha- to beta-spectrin. Ankyrin and beta-spectrin enter the cytoskeletal fraction within 10 min of labeling, and the amount assembled into the cytoskeletal fraction exceeds the amount present in their respective soluble pools within 1 h of labeling. Although alpha-spectrin enters the cytoskeletal fraction with similar kinetics to beta-spectrin and ankyrin, and in amounts equimolar to beta-spectrin, the amount of cytoskeletal alpha-spectrin does not exceed the amount of soluble alpha-spectrin even after 3 h of labeling. Pulse-chase labeling experiments reveal that ankyrin and alpha- and beta-spectrin assembled into the cytoskeleton exhibit no detectable turnover, whereas the Triton X-100 soluble polypeptides are rapidly catabolized, suggesting that stable assembly of the three polypeptides is dependent upon their association with their respective membrane receptor(s). The existence in the detergent-soluble compartment of newly synthesized ankyrin and alpha- and beta-spectrin that are catabolized, rather than assembled, suggests that ankyrin and spectrin are synthesized in excess of available respective membrane binding sites, and that the assembly of these polypeptides, while rapid, is not tightly coupled to their synthesis. We hypothesize that the availability of the high affinity receptor(s) localized on the membrane mediates posttranslationally the extent of assembly of the three cytoskeletal proteins in the correct stoichiometry, their stability, and their spatial localization.     

Localization of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae cytadherence-accessory proteins HMW1 and HMW4 in the cytoskeletonlike Triton shell.

The location of the cytadherence-accessory high-molecular weight proteins 1 and 4 (HMW1/4) within Mycoplasma pneumoniae cells has been studied by both biochemical and electron microscopic techniques. Peptide mapping studies demonstrated that HMW1/4 share almost identical peptide profiles, suggesting that the two proteins are structurally related. Examination of thin sections of M. pneumoniae with antibodies to HMW1/4 and colloidal gold particles revealed distinct labeling of the filamentous extensions of the mycoplasma cells. Labeling was absent on thin sections of a cytadherence-deficient variant lacking HMW1/4. HMW1/4 partitioned in the detergent-insoluble fraction following Triton X-100 extraction, and analysis by sucrose density gradient centrifugation suggested that HMW1/4 are part of a high-molecular-weight, multiprotein complex. These results were confirmed by immunogold labeling of Triton X-100-extracted M. pneumoniae cells incubated with antibodies to HMW1/4: gold particles bound in specific clusters to detergent-insoluble filaments. Finally, immunogold labeling of whole cells revealed that HMW1/4 are exposed on the cell surface, although to a lesser degree than on the cell interior. These findings indicate that HMW1/4 are membrane proteins associated with the cytoskeletonlike triton shell of M. pneumoniae and localized primarily in the filamentous extensions of the mycoplasma cells.     

The hyaluronate receptor is associated with actin filaments

The cell-surface receptor for hyaluronate is an integral membrane glycoprotein of Mr 85,000 (Underhill, C. B., A. L. Thurn, and B. E. Lacy, 1985, J. Biol. Chem., 260:8128-8133) that is thought to mediate many of the effects that hyaluronate has on cell behavior, such as migration, angiogenesis, and phagocytosis. To determine if the receptor is associated with the underlying cytoskeleton, Swiss 3T3 cells were extracted with a solution of Triton X-100, which solubilized most of the cellular components, but which left behind an insoluble residue containing the cytoskeleton. This detergent-insoluble residue was found to contain the bulk of the hyaluronate-binding activity, suggesting that the receptor might indeed be associated with the cytoskeleton. To further define the cytoskeletal element with which the receptor interacts, 3T3 cells were extracted with Triton X-100 under a variety of different ionic conditions. In each case, the amount of hyaluronate-binding activity in the detergent-insoluble residue was related to the amount of actin present, but not to either tubulin or vimentin. In addition, the recovery of hyaluronate-binding activity was dramatically enhanced (to 100% in most cases) if the cells were extracted in the presence of phalloidin, a drug that stabilizes actin filaments. However, the recovery of binding activity was dramatically decreased when whole cells were treated with cytochalasin B before extraction, and when extracted cells were treated with DNase I, which promotes the depolymerization of actin filaments. In addition, preincubating an extract of SV-40-transformed Swiss 3T3 cell membranes with DNase I caused a change in the elution profile of the receptor as judged by molecular-sieve chromatography. Presumably this decrease in the size of the receptor is due to the loss of associated actin filaments. The results of these experiments strongly suggest that the receptor for hyaluronate is associated either directly or indirectly with cytosolic actin filaments.     

Localization of cell surface glycoproteins in membrane domains associated with the underlying filament network

To visualize the localization of cell surface constituents in relation to the plasma membrane-associated filament network, we developed a method based on a combination of immunogold labeling and dry-cleaving. For labeling we used trinitrophenyl-derivatized ligand, anti-TNP antibodies, and protein A-coated colloidal gold. Dry-cleaving (Mesland, D. A. M., H. Spiele, and E. Roos, 1981, Exp. Cell Res., 132: 169-184) involves cleavage of lightly fixed critical point-dried cells by means of adhesive tape. Since cells cleave close to the cell surface, the remaining layer is thin enough to be examined in transmission electron microscopy. Using this method, we studied concanavalin A-binding constituents on the medium-facing surface of H35 hepatoma cells. The distribution of the gold particles, which was partly dispersed and partly patchy, coincided strikingly with membrane-associated filaments, and label was virtually absent from areas overlying openings in the filament network. In stereo pairs we observed the label to be localized to areas of somewhat enhanced electron density at the plane of the membrane. These areas were interconnected in a pattern congruent with the filament network. Preliminary observations on wheat germ agglutinin receptors on the hepatoma cells as well as concanavalin A receptors on isolated hepatocytes yielded comparable results. It thus appears that surface glycoproteins, although seemingly randomly distributed as observed in thin sections, may actually be localized to particular membrane domains associated with underlying filaments.     

Ligand binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans induces their aggregation and distribution along actin cytoskeleton.

Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) participate in molecular events that regulate cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. The present study demonstrates that soluble heparin-binding proteins or cross-linking antibodies induce the aggregation of cell surface HSPGs and their distribution along underlying actin filaments. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy and immunogold and electron microscopy indicate that, in the absence of ligands, HSPGs are irregularly distributed on the fibroblast cell surface, without any apparent codistribution with the actin cytoskeleton. In the presence of ligand (lipoprotein lipase) or antibodies against heparan sulfate, HSPGs aggregate and colocalize with the actin cytoskeleton. Triton X-100 extraction and immunoelectron microscopy have demonstrated that in this condition HSPGs were clustered and associated with the actin filaments. Crosslinking experiments that use biotinylated lipoprotein lipase have revealed three major proteoglycans as binding sites at the fibroblast cell surface. These cross-linked proteoglycans appeared in the Triton X-100 insoluble fraction. Platinum/carbon replicas of the fibroblast surface incubated either with lipoprotein lipase or antiheparan sulfate showed large aggregates of HSPGs regularly distributed along cytoplasmic fibers. Quantification of the spacing between HSPGs by confocal microscopy confirmed that the nonrandom distribution of HSPG aggregates along the actin cytoskeleton was induced by ligand binding. When cells were incubated either with lipoprotein lipase or antibodies against heparan sulfate, the distance between immunofluorescence spots was uniform. In contrast, the spacing between HSPGs on fixed cells not incubated with ligand was more variable. This highly organized spatial relationship between actin and proteoglycans suggests that cortical actin filaments could organize the molecular machinery involved in signal transduction and molecular movements on the cell surface that are triggered by heparin-binding proteins.     

Concanavalin A binding induces association of possible mating-type receptors with the cytoskeleton in Tetrahymena

The lectin concanavalin A (conA; 25 micrograms/ml) inhibits conjugation in the ciliate Tetrahymena, and binds to receptors localized at the junction between conjugating cells. We report here that succinyl-conA (30 micrograms/ml) has similar activity, but that two other mannosespecific lectins, lentil and pea lectins, have inhibitory activities more than tenfold lower in this system, indicating that factors other than mannose specificity are essential for biological activity. By using fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-conA, we have found that extraction of cells with the detergent Triton X-100 removes conA receptors from the extraction-resistant cytoskeleton, but that the binding of conA to its receptor before extraction associates the ligand-receptor complex with the cytoskeleton. Under the hypothesis that the conA receptor may be a mating type receptor, we have used this ligand-induced differential cytoskeletal association, in conjunction with electrophoresis and Western blotting, to identify a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight (MW) of 23,000 D which may be a mating type receptor. Our data are consistent with a model in which a direct interaction between the conA receptor and the cytoskeleton, rather than receptor cross-linking, is the biologically significant activity of ligand binding.     

Nonionic detergents increase the stoichiometry of ligand binding to the rat hepatic galactosyl receptor

When digitonin is used to expose intracellular galactosyl (Gal) receptors in isolated rat hepatocytes, only about half of the binding activity for 125I-asialoorosomucoid (ASOR) is found as compared to cells solubilized with Triton X-100. The increased ligand binding in the presence of detergent is not due to a decrease in Kd but could be due either to an increase in the number of ASORs bound per receptor or to exposure of additional receptors. Several experiments support the former explanation. No additional activity is exposed even when 80% of the total cell protein is solubilized with 0.4% digitonin. It is, therefore, unlikely that receptors are in intracellular compartments not permeabilized by digitonin and inaccessible to 125I-ASOR. Digitonin-treated cells are not solubilized by Triton X-100 if they are first treated with glutaraldehyde under conditions that retain specific binding activity. 125I-ASOR binding to these permeabilized/fixed cells increases about 2-fold in the presence of Triton X-100 and a variety of other detergents (e.g., Triton X-114, Nonidet P-40, Brij-58, and octyl glucoside) but not with the Tween series, saponin, or other detergents. When these fixed cells are washed to remove detergent, 125I-ASOR binding decreases almost to the initial level. Affinity-purified Gal receptor linked to Sepharose 4B binds approximately twice as much 125I-ASOR in the presence of Triton X-100 as in its absence. The results suggest that the increase in Gal receptor activity in the presence of nonionic detergents is due to an increase in the valency of the receptor rather than to exposure of additional receptors.     

Sulfhydryl Reagents Alter Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Affinity and Association with the Cytoskeleton

Abstract

Sulfhydryl (SH) reagents are known to influence the characteristics of many ligand-receptor systems. The SH reagent N-ethylmaleimide has been demonstrated to interact with EGF receptors, and to inhibit EGF receptor kinase activity. The data presented in this paper concern the effect of SH reagents on two intriguing features of the EGF receptor system, namely the presence of low and high affinity EGF binding sites, and the interaction of EGF receptors with the cytoskeleton. SH reagents were observed to induce a disappearance of high, but not low, affinity EGF receptors from the cell surface, and an increase in receptor-cytoskeleton interaction. Comparison of the effects of membrane-permeant and membrane-impermeant SH reagents on wild type and structurally modified EGF receptors suggested that sulfhydryl groups on the cytoplasmic, rather than the extracellular, receptor domain are involved. This indicates that the cytoplasmic domain of the EGF receptor plays a role in the high affinity binding of EGF, and in the interaction of EGF receptors with the cytoskeleton. Experiments with an anti-EGF receptor antibody that specifically blocks the binding of EGF to low affinity receptors indicated that EGF induces a shift in the EGF receptor from low to high affinity. SH reagents probably affect EGF binding by inhibiting this EGF-induced receptor conversion.     

Acetylcholine receptor clustering and triton solubility: neural effect

Previous studies by Prives et al. (1980, 1982a and b) have shown that acetylcholine receptors (AchRs) are extracted from muscle cells in vitro by Triton X-100 at different rates, and that clustered receptors extract most slowly. The present study was aimed at comparing the relative extractability of receptors in clusters with those in intercluster regions and the role of neural factors in regulating this extractability. Using primary rat muscle cells in vitro we confirmed that receptor extraction with Triton X-100 does not fit a single exponential but has more than one rate, and that in control cells clustered receptors extract more slowly than do receptors in intercluster regions. The major new observation in this study was that neural extract lowered the overall Triton extraction rate of intercluster receptors to that of clustered receptors. Additional new observations include the findings that (1) both clustered and intercluster receptors show multiphasic extraction rates; (2) stabilization of AchRs against Triton extraction increases with time in the surface membrane; (3) the effect of neural extract on Triton extractability of AChR is dependent on factors that control RNA synthesis, cytoskeletal elements, and collagen; (4) fixation and/or buffer washes accelerate receptor extraction only in cells that are treated with Triton, but not in control cells; (5) in control cells (not exposed to neural factors) Triton X-100 causes new clusters to form. From experiments using Con A we suggest that the Triton-induced new clusters may not be formed by a redistribution of receptors but are, most likely, due to the presence of groups of intercluster receptors with extraction rates lower than those of surrounding receptors.     

Epidermal growth factor and potent phorbol tumor promoters induce epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation in a similar but distinctively different manner in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

When human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells labeled with 32Pi to steady state specific activity were treated either with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or with active phorbol ester tumor promoters such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, labeling of 160 kDa EGF receptors isolated by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal anti-EGF receptor IgG was increased 2- to 3-fold. These treatments produced no significant increase in 32Pi labeling of acid-precipitable material present in detergent extracts of the cells. Phosphoamino acid analysis of radiolabeled EGF receptors isolated from these cells revealed several differences: the relative abundance of phosphotyrosine in EGF receptors was increased in cells treated with EGF, but decreased in cells treated with TPA; the overall relative abundance of phosphothreonine in EGF receptors was decreased in cells treated with EGF, but remained constant within the limits of experimental detection in cells treated with TPA. Two-dimensional mapping of the radiolabeled phosphopeptides produced from EGF receptors isolated by immunoprecipitation and treated with trypsin revealed 9 independent labeled regions, 2 of which contained phosphothreonine and were present only in EGF- or TPA-treated cells. These two phosphopeptide regions were more highly labeled in cells treated with TPA than with EGF.     

Membrane vesicles of A431 cells contain one class of epidermal growth factor binding sites

Epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells exhibit two classes of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors as deduced from Scatchard analysis. Steady-state binding of EGF to isolated A431 membranes indicated, however, the presence of only one class of EGF binding sites. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of these sites was approx. 0.45 nM which is similar to that of the high-affinity receptor of intact A431 cells. These results suggest that the vesicle receptor population consists only of high-affinity receptors. However, further studies indicated that the binding sites were similar to the low-affinity class, since binding of EGF could be blocked entirely by 2E9, a monoclonal anti-EGF receptor antibody which is able to inhibit specifically EGF binding to low-affinity receptors in A431 cells. The difference in affinity of the receptors in membrane vesicles as compared to intact cells may be explained by differences in biophysical parameters such as diffusion-limited EGF binding and receptor distribution. Based upon these considerations, it is concluded that membrane vesicles of A431 cells contain one class of EGF receptors which are apparently identical to the low-affinity receptors of intact cells.     

Identification of a cytoskeleton-associated glycoprotein from isolated microvilli of a mammary ascites tumor

Microvilli isolated from MAT-C1 13762 ascites tumor cells were extracted with Triton X-100 in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to yield cytoskeletal residues. Analysis of the residues by two-dimensional isoelectric focusing-dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis and silver staining suggested that one of the major components is a glycoprotein (CAG). Neuraminidase treatments and glucosamine labeling demonstrated that CAG is a glycoprotein, and lactoperoxidase iodination showed its presence at the microvillar surface. DNase treatments and myosin affinity analysis suggested an association between CAG and the microvillar microfilaments. Thus, CAG has the properties expected of a transmembrane-linking molecule connecting the cell surface to the cytoskeleton.     

Sequestration of epidermal growth factor receptors in non-caveolar lipid rafts inhibits ligand binding

Cholesterol depletion has been shown to increase mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in response to stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF) (Furuchi, T., and Anderson, R. G. W. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 21099-21104). However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We show that cholesterol depletion increases EGF binding, whereas cholesterol loading lowers EGF binding. Based on binding analyses, we demonstrate that the observed changes in EGF binding are caused by alterations in the number of EGF receptors available for ligand binding, whereas the affinity of the receptor for EGF remains unaltered. We also show by immunofluorescence that in unstimulated cells the EGF receptor is localized in non-caveolar lipid rafts containing the ganglioside GM1 and that patching of these rafts by cholera toxin B-chain causes co-patching of EGF receptors. Experiments with solubilization in different detergents at 4 degrees C show that the association of the EGF receptor with these rafts is sensitive to Triton X-100 extraction but insensitive to extraction with another non-ionic detergent, Brij 58. Furthermore, experiments with cholesterol-depleted cells show that the association is cholesterol-dependent. We propose that non-caveolar lipid rafts function as negative regulators of EGF receptor signaling by sequestering a fraction of the EGF receptors in a state inaccessible for ligand binding.     

Detection of S-100b protein in Triton cytoskeletons: an immunocytochemical study on cultured Schwann cells

We investigated the subcellular distribution of S-100b protein in primary cultures of Schwann cells. The subcellular localization of the protein in cells fixed and then permeabilized is similar, if not identical, to that seen in Schwann cells in peripheral nerves, i.e., S-100b protein is found in the cytoplasm and associated with membranes and filamentous structures. In cells either fixed in the presence of Triton X-100 or exposed to Triton X-100 for a short time before fixation (Triton cytoskeletons), the immune reaction product is considerably less intense, and the protein is associated with filaments running parallel to the long axis of the cell as well as in a submembranous position. Including CaCl2 in the buffer during fixation in the presence of Triton X-100 does not result in any increase in the intensity of the immune reaction product in Triton cytoskeletons, suggesting that, within the limits of the technique employed, no binding of additional S-100b protein to the Triton X-100-resistant material can be induced. On the other hand, including EGTA results in a substantial decrease in the intensity of the immune reaction product in Triton cytoskeletons. Altogether, these findings suggest that a remarkable fraction of S-100b protein in cultured Schwann cells is associated with elements of the cytoskeleton and that Ca2+ exerts some regulatory role in the association of S-100b protein with the cytoskeleton.     

The effect of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa receptor occupancy on the cytoskeleton of resting and activated platelets

The platelet integrin, glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa), serves as the receptor for fibrinogen. This study examined what effect GPIIb-IIIa receptor occupancy had on the cytoskeleton of resting and activated platelets. Triton X-100-insoluble residues (cytoskeletons) were isolated from resting washed platelets incubated with either 500 microM RGDS or 500 microM RGES and examined for protein content. RGDS did not increase the amount of GPIIb-IIIa associated with the cytoskeletal residues which sedimented at either 15,800 x g or 100,000 x g. To determine the effect of receptor occupancy on the formation of the activated platelet cytoskeleton, stirred and nonstirred RGDS-treated platelets in plasma were activated with ADP. Triton X-100-insoluble residues were isolated and examined for both protein content and retention of GPIIb-IIIa. Further, morphological studies were performed on the RGDS-ADP-stimulated platelets. The results of this study suggest that 1) RGDS peptide receptor occupancy does not lead to GPIIb-IIIa linkage to the cytoskeleton, 2) ADP-stimulated platelet shape change, polymerization of actin, and association of myosin with the cytoskeleton are unaffected by RGDS peptide receptor occupancy. 3) RGDS inhibits an aggregation-dependent incorporation of ABP, alpha-actinin, talin, and GPIIb-IIIa into the Triton-insoluble residue.     

Epidermal growth factor receptors on PC12 cells: Alteration of binding properties by lectins

The PC12 cell line displays cell surface receptors for both nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). It has been previously shown that the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) alters the properties of NGF receptors on these cells. We now report that preincubations with either WGA or concanavalin A (Con A) decrease the binding of ¹²⁵I-EGF to PC12 cells by greater than 50%. The inhibition of binding occurred at 37°C and 4°C and could be blocked or reversed by the addition of sugars which bind specifically to WGA or Con A. Scatchard analysis revealed that these lectins decreased binding primarily by lowering the affinity of the receptor and to a lesser extent by decreasing receptor number. Succinylalion of Con A (sCon A) produced a derivative that was less effective than the native lectin in decreasing EGF binding; however, addition of an antibody against Con A restored the ability of sCon A to decrease binding. Similar to results obtained with ¹²⁵I-NGF binding, WGA but not Con A was found to increase, by scveralfold; the proportion of ¹²⁵I-EGF binding that is resistant to solubilization by Triton X-100 detergent. A potential association of the EGF receptor with cytoskeletal elements is discussed which could account for such results.     

Ultrastructural localization of nuclear matrix proteins in HeLa cells using silver-enhanced ultra-small gold probes

We describe a method for immunogold staining of nuclear matrix proteins using ultra-small gold particles. The nuclear matrix of HeLa cells is obtained by two fractionation steps: (a) cell permeabilization with Triton X-100 to isolate the cytoskeleton, and (b) nuclease digestion followed by an incubation in 0.25 M ammonium sulfate to isolate the nuclear matrix. To prevent redistribution of internal matrix proteins during nuclear matrix preparation, pre-fixation with 0.1% acrolein was performed. Under this condition up to 80% of protein and 90% of DNA and RNA could be removed on nuclear matrix isolation, without redistribution of internal nuclear matrix proteins. For immunogold labeling, 1-nm gold probes appeared to be required to obtain optimal penetration into the nucleus. These particles can be visualized after silver enhancement. After gold labeling the matrices are stained, embedded in Epon, and ultra-thin sections are prepared for examination in the electron microscope. The applicability of this method is examplified by the localization of a 125 KD internal nuclear matrix protein and the lamins A and C in nuclear matrix preparations of HeLa cells.