The effects of tunicamycin on the metabolism of acetylated low density lipoproteins

The effect of tunicamycin (TM) on the metabolism of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL) was examined to determine whether N-linked glycosylation is required for the proper function of the AcLDL pathway. Proteolytic degradation of ¹²⁵I]-AcLDL was increased twofold in the presence of TM. This did not occur via an increase in total lysosomal enzyme activity or extracellular proteolysis; rather, the rate of uptake of ¹²⁵I]-AcLDL was increased. The enhanced degradation of AcLDL did not lead to a commensurate increase in the rate of synthesis of cholesteryl oleate. Conversely, the rate of cholesterol esterification was reduced in the presence of TM. The uptake of ¹²⁵I]-AcLDL was more sensitive to inhibition by chloroquine in TM-treated cells. However, the presence of TM did not affect the ability of chloroquine to inhibit constitutive recycling of AcLDL binding sites. These results suggest that N-linked glycosylation may be involved in the regulation of AcLDL metabolism in J774 cells.