Agonist-induced internalization and recycling of the human A(3) adenosine receptors: role in receptor desensitization and resensitization

A(3) adenosine receptors have been proposed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia with a regimen-dependent nature of the therapeutic effects probably related to receptor desensitization and down-regulation. Here we studied the agonist-induced internalization of human A(3) adenosine receptors in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, and then we evaluated the relationship between internalization and signal desensitization and resensitization. Binding of N(6)-(4-amino-3-[(125)I]iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide to membranes from Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with the human A(3) adenosine receptor showed a profile typical of these receptors in other cell lines (K:(D) = 1.3+/-0.08 nM; B(max) = 400+/-28 fmol/mg of proteins). The iodinated agonist, bound at 4 degrees C to whole transfected cells, was internalized by increasing the temperature to 37 degrees C with a rate constant of 0.04+/-0.034 min(-1). Agonist-induced internalization of A(3) adenosine receptors was directly demonstrated by immunogold electron microscopy, which revealed the localization of these receptors in plasma membranes and intracellular vesicles. Moreover, short-term exposure of these cells to the agonist caused rapid desensitization as tested in adenylyl cyclase assays. Subsequent removal of the agonist led to restoration of the receptor function and recycling of the receptors to the cell surface. The rate constant of receptor recycling was 0.02+/-0.0017 min(-1). Blockade of internalization and recycling demonstrated that internalization did not affect signal desensitization, whereas recycling of internalized receptors was implicated in the signal resensitization.     

Lateral mobility of the phospholipase C-activating vasopressin V1-type receptor in A7r5 smooth muscle cells: a comparison with the adenylate cyclase-coupled V2-receptor.

The present work examines lateral mobility of the vasopressin V1-type receptor, representing the first determination of lateral mobility of a hormone receptor coupled to phospholipase C activation. The V1-receptor of A7r5 smooth muscle cells was characterized for [Arg8] vasopressin (AVP) binding properties and affinity for the fluorescent vasopressin analogue 1-deamino[8-lysine (N6-tetramethylrhodamylaminothiocarbonyl)] vasopressin (TR-LVP). TR-LVP was biologically active in A7r5 cells, inducing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate turnover in similar fashion to AVP. TR-LVP was used to specifically label the V1-receptor of living A7r5 cells, and lateral mobility of the V1-receptor was measured using the technique of fluorescence microphotolysis. The apparent lateral diffusion coefficient (D) at 37 degrees C was 5.1 x 10(-10) cm2/s, falling to 2.9 x 10(-10) cm2/s at 13 degrees C. These D values are higher than comparable values for the adenylate cyclase-activating vasopressin V2-receptor of LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells analysed with the same fluorescent ligand. In contrast to the V2-receptor, no marked temperature dependence was observed for the V1-receptor mobile fraction (f). From 37 degrees C to 13 degrees C, f was relatively low (between 0.4 and 0.5) consistent with V1-receptor immobilization through internalization, which is rapid even at room temperature in A7r5 cells. These differences between V1- and V2-receptor lateral mobility are discussed in terms of the implications for their respective signal transduction systems.     

Internalization of the fibronectin receptor is a constitutive process

Using a monoclonal antibody specific for the hamster fibronectin receptor (FnR), we have demonstrated that a portion of the CHO cell FnR population is constitutively endocytosed. Three independent techniques were used to study the internalization: 1) after saturation binding of an anti-FnR antibody (PB1) to cells at 4 degrees C, internalization was initiated by warming to 37 degrees C, and then acid/salt elution of membrane-bound ligand was used to quantitate the internalized 125I-PB1; 2) cell vesicular traffic was pharmacologically disrupted with monensin or chloroquine, and the subsequent reduction of the cell surface pool of FnR was monitored; and 3) selective immunoprecipitation was used to separate surface and internalized 125I-labeled FnR. These experiments indicate that about 30% of the cell surface FnR is endocytosed with a t1/2 of 7 min and that this internalization occurs regardless of the ligation state of the receptor. Other observations indicate that the larger fraction of the cell surface FnR pool (70-75%) is apparently shed from the cell upon ligation with antibody at 37 degrees C. This process occurs much more slowly than receptor internalization and leads to an overall reduction in the amount of cell surface FnR. Our results suggest physically or chemically distinct populations of FnR, one of which is unavailable for internalization and recycling.     

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of transferrin in K562 cells

Human diferric transferrin binds to the surface of K562 cells, a human leukemic cell line. There are about 1.6 X 10(5) binding sites per cell surface, exhibiting a KD of about 10(-9) M. Upon warming cells to 37 degrees C there is a rapid increase in uptake to a steady state level of twice that obtained at 0 degree C. This is accounted for by internalization of the ligand as shown by the development of resistance to either acid wash or protease treatment of the ligand-cell association. After a minimum residency time of 4-5 min, undegraded transferrin is released from the cell. Internalization is rapid but is dependent upon cell surface occupancy; at occupancies of 20% or greater the rate coefficient is maximal at about 0.1-0.2 min-1. In the absence of externally added ligand only 50% of the internalized transferrin completes the cycle and is released to the medium with a rate coefficient of 0.05 min-1. The remaining transferrin can be released from the cell only by the addition of ligand, suggesting a tight coupling between cell surface binding, internalization, and release of internalized ligand. There is a loss of cell surface-binding capacity that accompanies transferrin internalization. At low (less than 50%) occupancy this loss is monotonic with the extent of internalization. Even at saturating levels of transferrin, the loss of surface receptors upon internalization never exceeds 60-70% of the initial binding capacity. This suggests that receptors enter the cell with ligand but are replaced so as to maintain a constant, albeit reduced, receptor number on the cell surface. In the absence of ligand, the cell surface receptor number returns at 37 degrees C. Neither sodium azide nor NH4Cl blocks internalization of ligand. However, they both prevent the release of transferrin from the cell thus halting the transferrin cycle. Excess ligand can overcome the block due to NH4Cl but not azide although the cycle is markedly slower. Iron is delivered to these cells by transferrin at 37 degrees C with a rate coefficient of 0.15 to 0.2 min-1. The iron is released from the transferrin and the majority is found in intracellular ferritin. There is a large internal receptor pool comprising 70 to 80% of the total cell receptors and this may be involved in maintaining the steady state iron uptake.     

Parathyroid hormone receptor internalization is independent of protein kinase A and phospholipase C activation

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) binding to their common receptor stimulates second messenger accumulation, receptor phosphorylation, and internalization. LLC-PK(1) cells expressing a green fluorescent protein-tagged PTH/PTHrP receptor show time- and dose-dependent receptor internalization. The internalized receptors colocalize with clathrin-coated pits. Internalization is stimulated by PTH analogs that bind to and activate the PTH/PTHrP receptor. Cell lines expressing a mutant protein kinase A regulatory subunit that is resistant to cAMP and/or a mutant receptor (DSEL mutant) that does not activate phospholipase C internalize their receptors normally. In addition, internalization of the wild-type receptor and the DSEL mutant is stimulated by the PTH analog [Gly(1),Arg(19)]hPTH-(1-28), which does not stimulate phospholipase C. Forskolin, IBMX, and the active phorbol ester, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, did not promote receptor internalization or increase PTH-induced internalization. These data indicate that ligand-induced internalization of the PTH/PTHrP receptor requires both ligand binding and receptor activation but does not involve stimulation of adenylate cyclase/protein kinase A or phospholipase C/protein kinase C.     

cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation affects vasopressin V2-receptor number and internalization in LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells.

The relationship between activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK) and ligand binding and internalization by the vasopressin renal (V2-type) receptor of LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells was examined. Upon cAMP-PK activation through 1 h treatment with the cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP (BrcA), a marked reduction in V2-receptor steady state number and internalization in LLC-PK1 cells was effected. In cells treated for 17 h with BrcA and hence down-regulated for cAMP-PK, the V2-receptor number was normal but internalization was markedly reduced. Cells of the LLC-PK1 mutant FIB4, which possesses about 10% parental cAMP-PK catalytic subunit activity, exhibited lower V2-receptor steady state number and internalization in comparison to untreated LLC-PK1 cells. A negative correlation was thus evident between cAMP-PK activation and V2-receptor number, and internalization. Phosphorylation by cAMP-PK may effect ligand-independent removal of receptor from the plasma membrane.     

IL-1 beta scavenging by the type II IL-1 decoy receptor in human neutrophils

IL-1 elicits its cellular effects by binding a heterodimeric receptor consisting of IL-1RI and the accessory protein, IL-1RAcPr. In addition, it binds to IL-1RII, which lacking signaling function has been ascribed a decoy role. The fate of the ligand following interaction with the decoy receptor was examined in human polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), which express predominantly (>90%) IL-1RII. Incubation of PMN with IL-1beta results in a rapid decrease in cell surface-associated ligand accompanied by a concomitant increase in internalized IL-1 with 50-60% of IL-1beta located intracellularly within 1 h at 37 degrees C. The use of blocking Abs revealed that IL-1 internalization is mediated exclusively by the decoy receptor. The results of inhibitor analysis demonstrate that internalization requires ATP synthesis and involves clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Following removal of the ligand, the receptor was rapidly re-expressed on the cell surface. Cyclohexamide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, had no effect upon the process, suggesting that the re-expressed receptor was recycled. In addition, human keratinocytes stably transfected with IL-1RII (HaCAT 811) also internalized the IL-1RII with 43% cell surface receptor internalized after 90 min. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed colocalization of the internalized receptor with wheat germ agglutinin-labeled internalized glycoproteins and early endosome Ag-1, a protein associated with the early endosome compartments, indicative of cellular uptake of IL-1RII by endocytosis. In contrast, little or no internalization was observed in other cells of immune origin. These results suggest that the decoy receptor IL-1RII can act as a scavenger of IL-1, representing a novel autoregulatory mechanism of the IL-1 system.     

The interaction of small oligomers of complement 3B (C3B) with phagocytes. High affinity binding and phorbol ester-induced internalization by polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The binding of soluble, multimeric ligands of the major cleavage fragment of complement component 3 (C3b) to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) has been examined. The oligomers bound entirely via complement C3 receptor type 1 (CR1). There was a single affinity of binding (0.65 nM) at 37 degrees C, while this high affinity binding accounted for only a minority of ligand bound at 0 degree C, with the rest showing a 50-100-fold lower affinity. Azide, fluoride, cytochalasin B, and colchicine had no effect on oligomer binding to PMN. Binding of oligomers had no effect on CR1 expression by PMN. C3b oligomers were not spontaneously internalized by PMN, but were internalized in response to phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu). Both CR1 initially present on the PMN plasma membrane and CR1 initially present in the internal pool of receptors were able to participate in PDBu-induced ligand internalization. C3b oligomers attached to the detergent-insoluble cell cytoskeleton during incubation at 37 degrees C, but cytochalasin B did not inhibit PDBu-induced ligand internalization. Internalized ligand was no longer associated with the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton. These data demonstrate that 1) some CR1 diffusion is required for optimal oligomer binding; 2) high affinity ligand is not a signal for plasma membrane expression of the internal pool of CR1; 3) CR1 cross-linking is not a sufficient signal for endocytosis; and 4) functional CR1 association with the cytoskeleton which occurs at the plasma membrane is not required for ligand internalization.     

Internalization, recycling, and redistribution of vasopressin receptors in rat hepatocytes

Three hours after isolation, cultured hepatocytes have approximately 150,000 surface vasopressin receptors/cell, and these exhibit a Kd for 125I-vasopressin of 6 nM based on calculation of Koff/Kon, or a Kd of 9.5 nM based on Scatchard plot analysis. After the binding of 125I-vasopressin to its receptor on the hepatocyte surface, this complex is internalized with a t1/2 of 3-6 min. Following this internalization, the number of vasopressin receptors on the cell surface is restored both in vitro and in the isolated perfused liver with a t1/2 of 8-10 min. This restoration is blocked in vitro by incubation of the hepatocytes at 18 degrees C, but not by cycloheximide, suggesting that internalized vasopressin receptors recycle back to the cell surface. Prolonged incubation of hepatocytes with vasopressin results in the loss of greater than 75% of the vasopressin surface binding at concentrations of vasopressin approximately equivalent to its Kd. The binding of vasopressin to cultured hepatocytes 3-5 h after isolation resembles binding to the isolated perfused whole liver with respect to receptor dynamics. During culture for 48 h, however, we observe a progressive loss of hepatocyte surface vasopressin receptors. Concomitant with this reduction in surface receptors with time in culture, there appears to be a marked elevation in intracellular receptors.     

Intracellular transport of formaldehyde-treated serum albumin in liver endothelial cells after uptake via scavenger receptors.

Endocytosis of formaldehyde-treated serum albumin (FSA) mediated by the scavenger receptor was studied in rat liver endothelial cells. Suspended cells had about 8000 receptors/cell, whereas cultured cells had about 19,000 receptors/cell. Kd was 10(-8) M in both systems. Cell-surface scavenger receptors were found exclusively in coated pits by electron microscopy, by using ligand labelled with colloidal gold. Cell-surface-bound FSA could be released by decreasing the pH to 6.0; it was therefore possible to assess the rate of internalization of surface-bound ligand. This rate was very high: t1/2 for internalization of ligand prebound at 4 degrees C was 24 s. The endocytic rate constant at 37 degrees C, Ke, measured as described by Wiley & Cunningham [(1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 4222-4229], was 2.44 min-1, corresponding to t1/2 = 12 s. Uptake of FSA at 37 degrees C after destruction of one cell-surface pool of receptors by Pronase was decreased to 60%. This finding is compatible with a relatively large intracellular pool of receptors. The intracellular handling of 125I-tyramine-cellobiose-labelled FSA (125I-TC-FSA) was studied by subcellular fractionation in sucrose gradients, Nycodenz gradients or by differential centrifugation. The density distributions of degraded and undegraded 125I-TC-FSA after fractionation of isolated non-parenchymal cells and whole liver were similar, when studied in Nycodenz and sucrose gradients, suggesting that the subcellular distribution of the ligand was not influenced by the huge excess of non-endothelial material in a whole liver homogenate. Fractionation in sucrose gradients showed that the ligand was sequentially associated with organelles banding at 1.14, 1.17 and 1.21 g/ml. At 9-12 min after intravenous injection the ligand was in a degradative compartment, as indicated by the accumulation of acid-soluble radioactivity at 1.21 g/ml. A rapid transfer of ligand to the lysosomes was also indicated by the finding that a substantial proportion of the ligand could be degraded by incubating mitochondrial fractions prepared 12 min after intravenous injection of the ligand. The results indicate that FSA is very rapidly internalized and transferred through an endosomal compartment to the lysosomes. The endosomes are gradually converted into lysosomes between 9 and 12 min after injection of FSA. The rate-limiting step in the intracellular handling of 125I-TC-FSA is the degradation in the lysosomes.     

alpha-2 Macroglobulin receptor/Ldl receptor-related protein(Lrp)- dependent internalization of the urokinase receptor

The GPI-anchored urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) does not internalize free urokinase (uPA). On the contrary, uPAR-bound complexes of uPA with its serpin inhibitors PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1) or PN-1 (protease nexin-1) are readily internalized in several cell types. Here we address the question whether uPAR is internalized as well upon binding of uPA-serpin complexes. Both LB6 clone 19 cells, a mouse cell line transfected with the human uPAR cDNA, and the human U937 monocytic cell line, express in addition to uPAR also the endocytic alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP/alpha 2-MR) which is required to internalize uPAR-bound uPA-PAI-1 and uPA-PN-1 complexes. Downregulation of cell surface uPAR molecules in U937 cells was detected by cytofluorimetric analysis after uPA-PAI-1 and uPA-PN-1 incubation for 30 min at 37 degrees C; this effect was blocked by preincubation with the ligand of LRP/alpha 2-MR, RAP (LRP/alpha 2-MR- associated protein), known to block the binding of the uPA complexes to LRP/alpha 2-. MR. Downregulation correlated in time with the intracellular appearance of uPAR as assessed by confocal microscopy and immuno-electron microscopy. After 30 min incubation with uPA-PAI-1 or uPA-PN-1 (but not with free uPA), confocal microscopy showed that uPAR staining in permeabilized LB6 clone 19 cells moved from a mostly surface associated to a largely perinuclear position. This effect was inhibited by the LRP/alpha 2-MR RAP. Perinuclear uPAR did not represent newly synthesized nor a preexisting intracellular pool of uPAR, since this fluorescence pattern was not modified by treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, and since in LB6 clone 19 cells all of uPAR was expressed on the cell surface. Immuno-electron microscopy confirmed the plasma membrane to intracellular translocation of uPAR, and its dependence on LRP/alpha 2-MR in LB6 clone 19 cells only after binding to the uPA-PAI-1 complex. After 30 min incubation at 37 degrees C with uPA-PAI-1, 93% of the specific immunogold particles were present in cytoplasmic vacuoles vs 17.6% in the case of DFP-uPA. We conclude therefore that in the process of uPA-serpin internalization, uPAR itself is internalized, and that internalization requires the LRP/alpha 2-MR.     

Recycling of the urokinase receptor upon internalization of the uPA:serpin complexes.

The GPI-anchored urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) does not internalize free urokinase (uPA) but readily internalizes and degrades uPA:serpin complexes in a process that requires the alpha2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (alpha2MR-LRP). This process is accompanied by the internalization of uPAR which renders it resistant to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). In this paper we show that during internalization of uPA:serpins at 37 degrees C, analysed by FACScan, immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, an initial decrease of cell surface uPAR was observed, followed by its reappearance at later times. This effect was not due to redistribution of previously intracellular receptors, nor to the surface expression of newly synthesized uPAR. Recycling was directly demonstrated in cell surface-biotinylated, uPA:PAI-1-exposed cells in which biotinylated uPAR was first internalized and subsequently recycled back to the surface upon incubation at 37 degrees C. In fact, uPAR was resistant to PI-PLC after the 4 degrees C binding of uPA:PAI-1 to biotinylated cells, but upon incubation at 37 degrees C PI-PLC-sensitive biotinylated uPAR reappeared at the cell surface. Binding of uPA:PAI-1 by uPAR, while essential to initiate the whole process, was, however, dispensable at later stages as both internalization and recycling of uPAR could be observed also after dissociation of the bound ligand from the cell surface.     

Insertion and internalization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in murine CD4 T lymphocytes.

The specific binding of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to murine lymphocytes was investigated. CD4 T cells from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) bound more 125I-VIP than did unseparated MLN lymphocytes at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C. The differences between the amount of 125I-VIP bound by the CD4 T cells and unseparated MLN lymphocytes at 37 degrees C depended upon a difference in the amount of the ligand that was internalized by the cells. The rate of insertion of unoccupied VIP receptors from the cytoplasm into the cell membrane (370 receptors/cell/min), the rate constants for internalization of ligand occupied VIP receptors (0.55 min-1) and unoccupied VIP receptors (0.11 min-1), and the rate constant for the elimination of internalized VIP (0.07 min-1) by CD4 T cells were evaluated. These results provide new understanding of the behaviour of VIP receptors on lymphocytes and indicate a mechanism by which CD4 T lymphocytes can homologously regulate their surface expression of VIP receptors in the presence of ambient VIP.     

Binding, internalization, and intracellular localization of interleukin-1 beta in human diploid fibroblasts

This study demonstrates internalization of interleukin-1 (IL-1) via its cell surface receptor on human diploid fibroblasts and shows intracellular localization of IL-1 beta. Binding experiments at 8 degrees C using confluent fibroblast monolayers revealed 5,000-15,000 IL-1 receptors/cell that bound both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. Incubation of monolayers with 125I-IL-1 beta (10(-9) M) at 8 degrees C and then at 37 degrees C for various times up to 8 h revealed a t1/2 for internalization of receptor-bound IL-1 beta of about 1.5 h. In addition, it was shown that IL-1 beta internalized via receptors was undegraded and retained binding activity. Electron microscopic autoradiography of monolayers incubated with 125I-IL-1 beta, as above, showed a progressive increase in the ratio of cytoplasmic to cell surface-associated grains. Grains at the cell surface were primarily localized at cell processes or attachment sites, frequently close to intra- and extracellular filamentous material. During incubation at 37 degrees C, most grains were free in the cytoplasm, with few present in lysosomes or vesicles. After 1 h, approximately 15% of the grains were over nuclei. Control cultures incubated at 37 degrees C with 125I-IL-1 beta and 100-fold excess unlabeled IL-1 beta showed increased uptake of label into lysosomes and little into nuclei. This study shows that IL-1 receptors are primarily located at fibroblast processes and that receptor-mediated internalization of the ligand is slow. Nuclear localization apparently requires IL-1 receptor-specific internalization of IL-1 beta, suggesting a possible role for this process in eliciting the IL-1 signal.     

Functional role of the NPxxY motif in internalization of the type 2 vasopressin receptor in LLC-PK1 cells

Interaction of the type 2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) with hormone causes desensitization and internalization. To study the role of the V2R NPxxY motif (which is involved in the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of several other receptors) in this process, we expressed FLAG-tagged wild-type V2R and a Y325F mutant V2R in LLC-PK1a epithelial cells that have low levels of endogenous V2R. Both proteins had a similar apical (35%) and basolateral (65%) membrane distribution. Substitution of Tyr³²⁵ with Phe³²⁵ prevented ligand-induced internalization of V2R determined by [³H]AVP binding and immunofluorescence but did not prevent ligand binding or signal transduction via adenylyl cyclase. Desensitization and resensitization of the V2R-Y325F mutation occurred independently of internalization. The involvement of clathrin in V2R downregulation was also shown by immunogold electron microscopy. We conclude that the NPxxY motif of the V2R is critically involved in receptor downregulation via clathrin-mediated internalization. However, this motif is not essential for the apical/basolateral sorting and polarized distribution of the V2R in LLC-PK1a cells or for adenylyl cyclase-mediated signal transduction. polarized cell culture; tyrosine motif; µ1b adaptor motif; protein traffic     

Binding, internalization, and degradation of basic fibroblast growth factor in human microvascular endothelial cells

The binding, internalization, and degradation of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in human omental microvascular endothelial cells (HOME cells) were investigated. Binding studies of bFGF in human endothelial cells have not yet been reported. Basic FGF bound to HOME cells (KD of 42.0 +/- 3.8 pM and 70,526 +/- 6121 binding sites/cell for the high-affinity sites, KD of 0.933 +/- 0.27 nM and 630,252 +/- 172,459 sites/cell for low-affinity binding sites). The number of low-affinity binding sites was found to be variable. Washing the cells with 2 M phosphate-buffered saline removed completely 125I-bFGF bound to low-affinity binding sites but decreased also the high-affinity binding. The majority of the surface-bound 125I-bFGF was removed by washing the cells with acetic acid buffer at pH 3. At 37 degrees C, 30% of the cell-associated 125I-bFGF became resistant to the acidic wash after 90 min, suggesting that this fraction of bound 125I-bFGF was internalized. At this temperature, degradation of the internalized ligand was followed after 1 h by the appearance of three major bands of 15,000, 10,000, and 8,000 Da and was inhibited by chloroquine. These results demonstrated two classes of binding sites for bFGF in HOME cells; the number of high-affinity binding sites being larger than the number reported for bovine capillary endothelial cells. The intracellular processing of bFGF in HOME cells seems to be different from that of heparin binding growth factor-1 in murine lung capillary endothelial cells and of eye-derived growth factor-1 in Chinese hamster fibroblasts.     

Endocytosis of ligand-human parathyroid hormone receptor 1 complexes is protein kinase C-dependent and involves beta-arrestin2. Real-time monitoring by fluorescence microscopy.

Endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of the human parathyroid hormone receptor subtype 1 (hPTH1-Rc) and its ligands was monitored independently by real-time fluorescence microscopy in stably transfected HEK-293 cells. Complexes of fluorescence-labeled parathyroid hormone (PTH)-(1-34) agonist bound to the hPTH1-Rc internalized rapidly at 37 degrees C via clathrin-coated vesicles, whereas fluorescent PTH-(7-34) antagonist-hPTH1Rc complexes did not. A functional C terminus epitope-tagged receptor (C-Tag-hPTH1-Rc) was immunolocalized to the cell membrane and, to a lesser extent, the cytoplasm. PTH and PTH-related protein agonists stimulated C-Tag-hPTH1-Rc internalization. Relocalization to the cell membrane occurred 1 h after removal of the ligand. Endocytosis of fluorescent PTH agonist-hPTH1-Rc complexes was blocked by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporine but not by the specific protein kinase A inhibitor N-(2-(methylamino)ethyl)-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide. Fluorescent PTH antagonist-hPTH1-Rc complexes were rapidly internalized after PKC activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or thrombin, but not after stimulation of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway by forskolin. In cells co-expressing the hPTH1-Rc and a green fluorescent protein-beta-arrestin2 fusion protein (beta-Arr2-GFP), PTH agonists stimulated beta-Arr2-GFP mobilization to the cell membrane. Subsequently, fluorescent PTH-(1-34)-hPTH1Rc complexes and beta-Arr2-GFP co-localized intracellularly. In conclusion, agonist-activated hPTH1-Rc internalization involves beta-arrestin mobilization and targeting to clathrin-coated vesicles. Our results also indicate that receptor occupancy, rather than receptor-mediated signaling, is necessary, although not sufficient, for endocytosis of the hPTH1-Rc. Activation of PKC, however, is absolutely required.     

Endocytosis and recycling of MHC-encoded class II molecules by mouse B lymphocytes

The movements of mouse MHC-encoded class II (H-2E) and class I (H-2K), transferrin receptor and surface Ig molecules of B lymphocytes were studied using radiolabeled mAb and electron microscopy. A total of 10 to 20% of antibodies specific for H-2E molecules were gradually internalized with a t 1/2 of 15 min, reaching a plateau after 30 min at 37 degrees C. Equivalent results were obtained either with the whole antibody or Fab' fragments, suggesting that the internalization of class II molecules was spontaneous. Similar results were obtained with antibodies specific for the transferrin receptor, of which 50% were internalized with t 1/2 of 5 min, reaching a plateau after 30 min. In contrast to antibodies specific for H-2E molecules and the transferrin receptor, antibodies specific for H-2K were not internalized. Reappearance of internalized H-2E-specific antibodies at the cell surface was observed at 37 degrees C. When compared to antibodies specific for surface Ig, degradation of antibodies specific for H-2E molecules was limited even after 5 h incubation. Neither ammonium chloride nor cycloheximide inhibited internalization and recycling. Electron microscopy showed that internalization of H-2E molecules occurred via coated pits/coated vesicles. These results indicate that class II molecules are spontaneously internalized and recycled by B lymphocytes.     

Receptor-mediated internalization of high density lipoprotein by rat sinusoidal liver cells: identification of a nonlysosomal endocytic pathway by fluorescence-labeled ligand

Rat sinusoidal liver cells possess the surface receptor for high density lipoprotein (HDL) (Murakami, M., S. Horiuchi, K. Takata, and Y. Morino. 1987. J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 101: 729-741). The present study was undertaken to determine whether cell surface-bound HDL underwent subsequent endocytic internalization by using 125I-labeled HDL and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled HDL (FITC-HDL). The cell-associated radioactivity obtained by a 40-min incubation with 125I-labeled HDL at 37 degrees C was released into the medium as acid-precipitable forms upon further incubation at 37 degrees C. When further incubated at 0 degree C instead of 37 degrees C, however, this release was significantly reduced. A similar phenomenon was observed after the cell-associated ligands had been treated with trypsin. The cell-associated ligands obtained after a 1-hr incubation with 125I-labeled HDL at 0 degree C were largely counted for by those bound to the outer surface of the cells, thus suggesting that HDL is internalized into cells at 37 degrees C but not at 0 degree C. Moreover, when cells were incubated with FITC-HDL at 0 degree C, the cell-associated ligands were found in a pH 7.2 +/- 0.1 compartment, whereas when incubated at 37 degrees C, its microenvironmental pH became much more acidic, exhibiting pH 6.2 +/- 0.1. Furthermore, this value returned to 7.1 +/- 0.1 upon treatment with carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone known to dissipate the total protonomotive force. These results suggest, therefore, that the internalization process does follow receptor-mediated binding of HDL in rat sinusoidal liver cells. This notion was also supported by fluorescence microscopic observations.     

The large intracellular pool of asialoglycoprotein receptors functions during the endocytosis of asialoglycoproteins by isolated rat hepatocytes

The function of intracellular asialoglycoprotein receptors during the endocytosis of asialo-orosomucoid in isolated hepatocytes was assessed by following changes in the occupancy of intracellular receptors. Unoccupied total cellular (inside and surface) or surface receptors were quantified at 0 degrees C by the binding of 125I-asialo-orosomucoid in the presence or absence, respectively, of digitonin. Freshly isolated cells had about 17% of their total receptors on the surface. After incubation at 37 degrees C, the receptor distribution changed to 25 to 50% on the cell surface and 50 to 75% inside the cell. At 37 degrees C, the average total number of receptors/cell was 4.5 x 10(5). Dissociation constants, determined from equilibrium binding studies in the presence or absence of digitonin to assess total or surface receptors, were identical (5.4 +/- 1.4 and 5.6 +/- 1.1 x 10(-9) M, respectively). In the presence of asialo-orosomucoid at 37 degrees C, there was both a time- and a concentration-dependent decrease in surface and intracellular receptor activity. This receptor activity decrease was reversed by removing asialo-orosomucoid from the medium or by washing the digitonin-permeabilized cells with ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid prior to quantification of receptor activity. Within 1 to 2 h in the presence of excess asialo-orosomucoid, a steady state was attained in which approximately 70% of the intracellular receptors were occupied. The kinetics of receptor activity recovery on the cell surface after internalization of a pulse of ligand is different than the rate of recovery of internal receptor activity. The results suggest that all of the internal asialoglycoprotein receptors are functional and participate during endocytosis. Internal receptors may be functionally equivalent to those on the surface or they may serve a reservoir or routing function for internalized ligand.