Morphogenesis of the polarized epithelial cell phenotype

Chapter 2 Biogenesis and Sorting of Plasma Membrane Proteins

The cell surface membrane is the boundary between a cell and its environment. In case of polarized epithelial cells, the apical plasma membrane is frequently the boundary between an organism and its environment. The plasmalemma possesses the elements that endow a cell with the capacity to converse with its environment. Plasmalemmal receptor and transducer proteins allow the cell to recognize and respond to various external influences. Membrane-associated proteins anchor cells to their substrata and mediate their integration into tissues. Many properties of a given cell type may be attributed to the protein composition of its plasma membrane. Most cells go to large lengths to control the nature and distribution of polypeptides that populate their plasmalemmas. Cells regulate the expression of genes encoding plasma membrane proteins. Proteins destined for the insertion into the plasma membrane pass through a complex system of processing organelles prior to arriving at their site of ultimate functional residence. Each of these organelles makes a unique contribution to the maturation of these proteins as they transit through them. This chapter discusses the postsynthetic steps involved in the biogenesis of plasma membrane proteins. The chapter discusses some of the events common to all plasmalemmal polypeptides, with special emphasis on those that contribute directly to the character of the cell surface. The chapter then discusses the specializations, associated with cell types, possessing differentiated cell surface sub-domains. The chapter highlights some of the important and fascinating questions confronting investigators interested in the cell biology of the plasma membrane.

Vaccinia virus preferentially enters polarized epithelial cells through the basolateral surface

The uptake of vaccinia virus in polarized epithelial cells was studied to determine whether the site of entry was confined to either the apical or the basolateral membrane. Virus infection was monitored with a recombinant vaccinia virus carrying the luciferase reporter gene. Using cell lines MDCK and MDCK-D11, a clonal line with high transepithelial electrical resistance, we determined that vaccinia virus preferentially enters through the basolateral membrane. The possibility that there is a polarized cell surface distribution of vaccinia virus receptors which may be involved in systemic poxvirus infections is discussed.

Organization and dynamics of microtubules in Torpedo marmorata electrocyte: selective association with specialized domains of the postsynaptic membrane

The distribution and subcellular organization of two components of the secretory pathway, the Golgi apparatus and microtubules, have been investigated in Torpedo marmorata electrocyte. This highly polarized syncytium, embryologically derived from skeletal muscle cells, displays distinct plasma membrane domains on its innervated and non-innervated faces, and it played a critical role in the identification of the acetylcholine receptor. By immunocytochemical analysis, we show that in the electrocyte, numerous focal Golgi bodies are dispersed throughout the cytoplasm in frequent association with nuclei. Under experimental conditions known to stabilize microtubules, we reveal an elaborate network composed of two populations of microtubules exhibiting different dynamic properties as evaluated by cold-stability, resistance to nocodazole and post-translational modification. This network appears organized from several nucleating centers located in the medial plane of the cell that are devoided of centrioles. The network displays an asymmetric distribution with individual microtubules converging towards the troughs of the postsynaptic membrane folds. In these particular regions, we consistently observed clusters of non-coated vesicles in association with the microtubules. The organization of the microtubules in the electrocyte may thus result in a functional polarization of the cytoplasm. In other polarized cells, the particular organization of the secretory pathway accounts for the intracellular routing of membrane proteins. The organization that we have observed in the electrocyte may thus lead to the vectorial delivery of synaptic proteins to the innervated plasma membrane. Furthermore, the abundance of synaptic proteins makes the electrocyte a unique model with which to decipher the mechanisms involved in the sorting and targeting of these glycoproteins.

Heterogeneity amongst fibroblasts in the production of migration stimulating factor (MSF): implications for cancer pathogenesis

Fetal skin fibroblasts migrate into 3D collagen gels to a significantly greater extent than do adult cells. This enhanced motility of fetal fibroblasts appears to result from the production of a "migration stimulating factor" (MSF) which is not made by their normal adult counterparts. Adult skin fibroblasts retain responsiveness to MSF and cells exposed to this factor achieve the elevated levels of migration characteristic of fetal cells. MSF has been purified to homogeneity, has an apparent molecular mass of 70 kD and has been further characterized in terms of a number of biochemical parameters. Studies concerned with the mechanism of action of MSF indicate that it stimulates the production of a high molecular weight class of hyaluronic acid (HA). Concurrent exposure of cells to Streptomyces hyaluronidase blocks the stimulation of adult fibroblast migration by MSF. In a related series of experiments, we have shown that TGF-beta inhibits the effects of MSF on both cell migration and HA production. Taken together, these data suggest that the stimulation of fibroblast migration by MSF is dependent upon (and may directly result from) a primary induction of HA synthesis. We have previously reported that skin fibroblasts obtained from patients with sporadic and familial breast cancer, as well as the unaffected first-degree relatives of familial breast cancer patients, commonly display a fetal-like migratory phenotype. Subsequent work has indicated that (a) these fetal-like cells also produce MSF, and (b) detectable levels of MSF are present in the serum of sporadic breast cancer patients both prior to and following surgical resection of the primary tumor mass. On the basis of these and related observations, we have put forward an hypothesis suggesting that the disruption in normal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions caused by the persistent production of MSF by fibroblasts in the adult may contribute directly to the pathogenesis of an epithelial cancer. The demonstration of aberrant fibroblasts in sporadic cancer patients (both in our own and independent studies) is not consistent with the "germ-line genetic lesion" model commonly invoked to account for the presence of such cells in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Attachment of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes to receptors at restricted cell surface domains

We have used glutaraldehyde-fixed target cells to study the attachment phase of cell invasion by live trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, and determined that attachment is polarized and receptor-mediated. T. cruzi trypomastigotes bind much less efficiently to confluent epithelial cells, which are polarized, than to sparse epithelial cells. When the tight junctions of confluent epithelial cells are disrupted by removing Ca2+ from the incubation medium before glutaraldehyde fixation, binding of T. cruzi increases. T. cruzi also shows preference for attachment underneath cells or to the edges of cells. The binding occurs within a few minutes, is saturable, and is influenced by the parasite developmental stage. Fab fragment derived from monoclonal antibodies that immunoprecipitate a 160-kDa molecule present only on the surface of trypomastigotes inhibit adhesion to fixed and live cells. Future characterization of the target cell receptors for this molecule and the use of fixed target cells should facilitate studies of the mechanisms involved in the initial interaction of T. cruzi with its host cells.

Reconstitution of constitutive secretion using semi-intact cells: regulation by GTP but not calcium

Regulated exocytosis in many permeabilized cells can be triggered by calcium and nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues. Here we examine the role of these effectors in exocytosis of constitutive vesicles using a system that reconstitutes transport between the trans-Golgi region and the plasma membrane. Transport is assayed by two independent methods: the movement of a transmembrane glycoprotein (vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein [VSV G protein]) to the cell surface; and the release of a soluble marker, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, that have been synthesized and radiolabeled in the trans-Golgi. The plasma membrane of CHO cells was selectively perforated with the bacterial cytolysin streptolysin-O. These perforated cells allow exchange of ions and cytosolic proteins but retain intracellular organelles and transport vesicles. Incubation of the semi-intact cells with ATP and a cytosolic fraction results in transport of VSV G protein and GAG chains to the cell surface. The transport reaction is temperature dependent, requires hydrolyzable ATP, and is inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide. Nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs such as GTP gamma S, which stimulate the fusion of regulated secretory granules, completely abolish constitutive secretion. The rate and extent of constitutive transport between the trans-Golgi and the plasma membrane is independent of free Ca2+ concentrations. This is in marked contrast to fusion of regulated secretory granules with the plasma membrane, and transport between the ER and the cis-Golgi (Beckers, C. J. M., and W. E. Balch. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 108:1245-1256; Baker, D., L. Wuestehube, R. Schekman, and D. Botstein. 1990. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 87:355-359).

Development of the Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier in LLC-PK1 cells is dependent on microtubules

The Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier, an endogenous apical marker, develops during differentiation of LLC-PK1, an established cell line with characteristics of the proximal tubule. This development was inhibited by the microtubule-disrupting drugs, colchicine and nocodazole, while it was insensitive to lumicolchicine. This strongly suggests that microtubules are involved in the plasma membrane expression of the Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier. We also analyzed the increase in activity of endogenous apical and basolateral membrane proteins during the polarization process. The development of three apical (Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier, gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and one basolateral membrane protein (Na+/K(+)-ATPase) was studied during the reorganization of LLC-PK1 cells into a polarized epithelium. Colchicine inhibited the rapid, transient increase in the expression of the Na(+)-dependent hexose carrier during this polarization process. A similar result was observed for the development of the other apical proteins, while the development of Na+/K(+)-ATPase seemed to be largely insensitive to colchicine. Our results are in agreement with the model that the vesicles containing the apical membrane proteins use microtubules as tracks to reach the plasma membrane. The transport of vesicles containing basolateral membrane proteins clearly occurs by a different pathway which is independent on an intact microtubular network. Since the inhibition by the microtubule-disrupting drugs was complete, it can be concluded that after disruption of microtubules, the apical vesicles do not use the basolateral pathway by default.

Tight junctional inhibition of entry of Toxoplasma gondii into MDCK cells

Various conditions of cultures were performed to investigate the role of tight junctions formed between adjacent MDCK cells on the entry of Toxoplasma. When MDCK cells were cocultured with excess number of Toxoplasma at the seeding density of 1 x 10(5), 3 x 10(5), and 5 x 10(5) cells/ml for 4 days, the number of intracellular parasites decreased rapidly as the host cells reached saturation density, i.e., the formation of tight junctions. When the concentration of calcium in the media (1.8 mM in general) was shifted to 5 microM that resulted in the elimination of tight junction, the penetration of Toxoplasma increased about 2-fold (p less than 0.05) in the saturated culture, while that of non-saturated culture decreased by half. Trypsin-EDTA which was treated to conquer the tight junctions of saturated culture favored the entry of Toxoplasma about 2.5-fold (p less than 0.05) compared to the non-treated, while that of non-saturated culture decreased to about one fifth. It was suggested that the tight junctions of epithelial cells play a role as a barrier for the entry of Toxoplasma and Toxoplasma penetrate into host cells through membrane structure-specific, i.e., certain kind of receptors present on the basolateral rather than apical surface of MDCK cells.

Transport of influenza HA from the trans-Golgi network to the apical surface of MDCK cells permeabilized in their basolateral plasma membranes: energy dependence and involvement of GTP-binding proteins

A procedure employing streptolysin O to effect the selective permeabilization of either the apical or basolateral plasma membrane domains of MDCK cell monolayers grown on a filter support was developed which permeabilizes the entire monolayer, leaves the opposite cell surface domain intact, and does not abolish the integrity of the tight junctions. This procedure renders the cell interior accessible to exogenous macromolecules and impermeant reagents, permitting the examination of their effects on membrane protein transport to the intact surface. The last stages of the transport of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) to the apical surface were studied in pulse-labeled, virus-infected MDCK cells that were incubated at 19.5 degrees C for 90 min to accumulate newly synthesized HA in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), before raising the temperature to 35 degrees C to allow synchronized transport to the plasma membrane. In cells permeabilized immediately after the cold block, 50% of the intracellular HA molecules were subsequently delivered to the apical surface. This transport was dependent on the presence of an exogenous ATP supply and was markedly inhibited by the addition of GTP-gamma-S at the time of permeabilization. On the other hand, the GTP analogue had no effect when it was added to cells that, after the cold block, were incubated for 15 min at 35 degrees C before permeabilization, even though at this time most HA molecules were still intracellular and their appearance at the cell surface was largely dependent on exogenous ATP. These findings indicate that GTP-binding proteins are involved in the constitutive process that effects vesicular transport from the TGN to the plasma membrane and that they are charged early in this process. Transport of HA to the cell surface could be made dependent on the addition of exogenous cytosol when, after permeabilization, cells were washed to remove endogenous cytosolic components. This opens the way towards the identification of cell components that mediate the sorting of apical and basolateral membrane components in the TGN and their polarized delivery to the cell surface.

Microtubules are stabilized in confluent epithelial cells but not in fibroblasts

Rhodamine-tagged tubulin was microinjected into epithelial cells (MDCK) and fibroblasts (Vero) to characterize the dynamic properties of labeled microtubules in sparse and confluent cells. Fringe pattern fluorescence photobleaching revealed two components with distinct dynamic properties. About one-third of the injected tubulin diffused rapidly in the cytoplasm with a diffusion coefficient of 1.3-1.6 x 10(-8) cm2/s. This pool of soluble cytoplasmic tubulin was increased to greater than 80% when cells were treated with nocodazole, or reduced to approximately 20% upon treatment of cells with taxol. Fluorescence recovery of the remaining two-thirds of labeled tubulin occurred with an average half-time (t1/2) of 9-11 min. This pool corresponds to labeled tubulin associated with microtubules, since it was sensitive to treatment of cells with nocodazole and since taxol increased its average t1/2 to greater than 22 min. Movement of photobleached microtubules in the cytoplasm with rates of several micrometers per minute was shown using very small interfringe distances. A significant change in the dynamic properties of microtubules occurred when MDCK cells reached confluency. On a cell average, microtubule half-life was increased about twofold to approximately 16 min. In fact, two populations of cells were detected with respect to their microtubule turnover rates, one with a t1/2 of approximately 9 min and one with a t1/2 of greater than 25 min. Correspondingly, the rate of incorporation of microinjected tubulin into interphase microtubules was reduced about twofold in confluent MDCK cells. In contrast to the MDCK cells, no difference in microtubule dynamics was observed in sparse and confluent populations of Vero fibroblasts, where the average microtubule half-life was approximately 10 min. Thus, microtubules are significantly stabilized in epithelial but not fibroblastic cells grown to confluency.

Transcytosis in MDCK cells: identification of glycoproteins transported bidirectionally between both plasma membrane domains

MDCK cells display fluid-phase transcytosis in both directions across the cell. Transcytosis of cell surface molecules was estimated by electron microscopic analysis of streptavidin-gold-labeled frozen sections of biotinylated cells. Within 3 h, approximately 10% of the surface molecules, biotinylated on the starting membrane domain, were detected on the opposite surface domain irrespective of the direction of transcytosis. This suggests that the transcytosis rates for surface molecules are equal in both directions across the cell as shown previously for fluid-phase markers. A biochemical assay was established to identify transcytosing glycoproteins in MDCKII-RCAr cells, a ricin-resistant mutant of MDCK. Due to a galactosylation defect, surface glycoproteins of these cells can be labeled efficiently with [3H]galactose. Transcytosis of [3H]galactose-labeled glycoproteins to the opposite membrane domain was detected by surface biotinylation. Detergent-solubilized glycoproteins derivatized with biotin were adsorbed onto streptavidin-agarose and separated by SDS-PAGE. A subset of the cell surface glycoproteins was shown to undergo transcytosis. Transport of these glycoproteins across the cell was time and temperature dependent. By comparative two-dimensional gel analysis, three classes of glycoproteins were defined. Two groups of glycoproteins were found to be transported unidirectionally by transcytosis, one from the apical to the basolateral surface and another from the basolateral to the apical surface. A third group of glycoproteins which has not been described previously, was found to be transported bidirectionally across the cell.

Catenin association with E-cadherin changes with the state of polarity of HT-29 cells

Cadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate the calcium-dependent adhesion of cells to one another. It has been reported that at least two and probably more proteins associate with cadherins in various systems. These proteins have been called catenins. HT-29 cells can be manipulated to express either a polar or a nonpolar phenotype, depending on the growth conditions. We have taken advantage of this feature of HT-29 cells to explore the role catenins may play in cadherin-mediated adhesion. In this paper we report that several catenins co-immune-precipitate with E-cadherin in cultured human cells (HT-29 and JAR PR497) and that the nature of the complex of proteins varies with the physiological state of the HT-29 cells. In addition, we show data suggesting that the proteins that associate with calcium-dependent adhesion molecules may represent a group of proteins, some of which are present in all cells and some of which are cell-type specific.

Differential microtubule requirements for transcytosis in MDCK cells

Given the role of microtubules in directing the transport of many intracellular organelles, we investigated whether intact microtubules were also required for transcytosis across epithelia. Using polarized MDCK cells expressing receptors for the Fc domain of IgG (FcRII-B2) or polymeric immunoglobulin (pIg-R), we examined the involvement of microtubules in apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical transcytosis, respectively. While depolymerization of microtubules with nocodozole had no effect on apical to basolateral transcytosis via FcR, basolateral to apical transcytosis of dimeric IgA via pIg-R was almost completely blocked. Inhibition due to nocodozole was selective for basolateral to apical transcytosis, since neither endocytosis nor receptor recycling was significantly affected at either plasma membrane domain. As shown by confocal microscopy, the block in transcytosis was due to the inability of MDCK cells to translocate IgA-containing vesicles from the basolateral to the apical cytoplasm in the absence of an intact microtubule network. The nocodazole sensitive step could be partially by-passed, however, by allowing cells to internalize IgA at 17 degrees C prior to nocodazole treatment. Although incubation at 17 degrees C blocked release of IgA into the apical medium, it did not prevent translocation of IgA-containing vesicles to the apical cytoplasm. Thus, receptor-mediated transcytosis in opposite directions exhibits distinct requirements for microtubules, a feature which reflects the spatial organization of MDCK cells.

Polarized membrane expression of brush-border hydrolases in primary cultures of kidney proximal tubular cells depends on cell differentiation and is induced by dexamethasone

To analyze the influence of cell differentiation and the effects of hormones on the subcellular distribution of apical antigens in polarized epithelial cells, we have compared the localization of three brush border (BB) hydrolases [neutral endopeptidase (ENDO), aminopeptidase N (APN), and dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV)] in primary cultures of renal proximal tubule cells grown in various culture media. The degree of cell differentiation modulated by medium composition was estimated by measuring proximal functions, including glucose transport, specific enzymatic activities, and PTH responsiveness. In the dedifferentiated state observed in cells grown in 1% fetal calf serum (FCS)-supplemented medium, the three hydrolases are abnormally concentrated in a cytoplasmic vesicle compartment with weak expression on both membrane domains. By contrast, in serum-free hormonally defined medium (DM: insulin, 5 microgram/ml; dexamethasone, 5 x 10(-8) M), which markedly enhances morphological and functional cell differentiation, the distribution of hydrolases parallels that observed in the normal tubule. When added to the DM devoid of hormones, insulin has little polarizing effect, whereas dexamethasone dramatically increases the apical expression of the hydrolases, which then almost disappear from the basolateral membrane and cytoplasmic vesicular compartments. This glucocorticoid hormone augments the amount of immunoreactive antigen detectable on the apical domain in paraformaldehyde-fixed cells but does not change the total enzymatic activity. This suggests the presence in tubular cells of a dexamethasone-dependent polarizing machinery that requires de novo RNA and protein synthesis, and probably acts mainly by targeting a storage cytoplasmic pool of enzyme to the apical domain.

Evidence that proteolysis of the surface is an initial step in the mechanism of formation of sperm cell surface domains

On terminally differentiated sperm cells, surface proteins are segregated into distinct surface domains that include the anterior and posterior head domains. We have analyzed the formation of the anterior and posterior head domains of guinea pig sperm in terms of both the timing of protein localization and the mechanism(s) responsible. On testicular sperm, the surface proteins PH-20, PH-30 and AH-50 were found to be present on the whole cell (PH-20) or whole head surface (PH-30, AH-50). On sperm that have completed differentiation (cauda epididymal sperm), PH-20 and PH-30 proteins were restricted to the posterior head domain and AH-50 was restricted to the anterior head domain. Thus these proteins become restricted in their distribution late in sperm differentiation, after sperm leave the testis. We discovered that the differentiation process that localizes these proteins can be mimicked in vitro by treating testicular sperm with trypsin. After testicular sperm were treated with 20 micrograms/ml trypsin for 5 min at room temperature, PH-20, PH-30, and AH-50 were found localized to the same domains to which they are restricted during in vivo differentiation. The in vitro trypsin-induced localization of PH-20 to the posterior head mimicked the in vivo differentiation process quantitatively as well as qualitatively. The quantitative analysis showed the process of PH-20 localization involves the migration of surface PH-20 from other regions to the posterior head domain. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that there is protease action in vivo on the sperm surface during the late stages of sperm differentiation. Both the PH-20 and PH-30 proteins were shown to be proteolytically cleaved late in sperm differentiation. These findings strongly implicate proteolysis of surface molecules as an initial step in the mechanism of formation of sperm head surface domains.

Microtubule perturbation inhibits intracellular transport of an apical membrane glycoprotein in a substrate-dependent manner in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells

The effects of microtubule perturbation on the transport of two different viral glycoproteins were examined in infected Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown on both permeable and solid substrata. Quantitative biochemical analysis showed that the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole inhibited arrival of influenza hemagglutinin on the apical plasma membrane in MDCK cells grown on both substrata. In contrast, the microtubule-stabilizing drug taxol inhibited apical appearance of hemagglutinin only when MDCK cells were grown on permeable substrata. On the basis of hemagglutinin mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and its sensitivity to endo H, it was evident that nocodazole and taxol arrested hemagglutinin at different intracellular sites. Neither drug caused a significant increase in the amount of hemagglutinin detected on the basolateral plasma membrane domain. In addition, neither drug had any noticeable effect on the transport of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-G protein to the basolateral surface. These results shed light on previous conflicting reports using this model system and support the hypothesis that microtubules play a role in the delivery of membrane glycoproteins to the apical, but not the basolateral, domain of epithelial cells.

Regulation of the spatial order of cortical microtubules in developing guard cells ofAllium

The organization of microtubules (MTs) in the cortex of cells at interphase is an important element in morphogenesis. Mechanisms controlling the initiation of MTs and their spatial ordering, however, are largely unknown. Our recent study concerning the generation of a radial array of MTs in stomatal guard cells inAllium showed that the MTs initiate in a cortical MT-organizing zone adjacent to the ventral wall separating the two young guard cells (Marc, Mineyuki and Palevitz, 1989, Planta179, 516, 530). In an attempt to detect MT-ordering mechanisms separate from the sites of MT initiation, we now employ various drugs to manipulate the geometry and integrity of the ventral wall and thereby also the associated MT-organizing zone. In the presence of cytochalasin D the ventral wall is tilted away from its normal mid-longitudinal anticlinal alignment, while treatments with the herbicide chloroisopropyl-N-phenylcarbamate (CIPC) induce the formation of a branched ventral wall. Nonetheless, in either case the MTs still form a radial array, although this is asymmetric as it is centered in accordance with the misaligned or branched ventral wall. Since the MTs maintain their original course undisturbed as they extend beyond the abnormal ventral wall, there is no evidence for the presence of an inherent MT-ordering mechanism at locations remote from MT-initiation sites. Following treatments with caffeine, which abolishes the formation of the ventral wall, the MTs revert to a transversely oriented cylindrical array as in normal epidermal cells. Thus the presence of the ventral wall, and presumably also the associated MT-organizing zone, is essential for the establishment of the radial array. The MT-organizing zone is therefore involved not only in the initiation of MTs, but also in determining their spatial order throughout the cell cortex.

Membrane fractions display different lipid and enzyme content in three cell types in 16-cell stage embryos of sea urchins

Three cell types were isolated from dissociated 16-cell sea urchin embryos. Four membrane density fractions from discontinuous gradients have different proportions of lipids, surfacer markers and enzymes for the three cell types. Assays of lipid content, CH/PLIPID and SPH/PC ratios, acyl chain length, level of unsaturation by proton NMR and assays of enzyme activity revealed variation at the same density between the three cell types and among different densities from one cell type. There were also differences between whole embryos and dissociated embryo cells. There was no typical membrane domain at a particular density common to the cell types. Cell surface characteristics and polarity of adult cells rely on which lipid domains and enzymes are present, their association with cytoskeleton and how they are localized. At the 16-cell stage these characteristics are still very dynamic as revealed by cytochemical localization of Na+/K(+)-ATPase which varied with cell type and suggests endocytosis at set times in the division cycle. Polarity has not been permanently set for Na+/K(+)-ATPase yet. Membrane enzyme and lipid distributions unique to the three cell types seen in this study suggest parcelling out or insertion of new membrane domains occurs during early sea urchin cleavage. Perturbation of membrane density distribution and lipid content occurs after treatment of embryos with animalizing and vegetalizing teratogens which alter development.

Biogenetic pathways of plasma membrane proteins in Caco-2, a human intestinal epithelial cell line

We studied the sorting and surface delivery of three apical and three basolateral proteins in the polarized epithelial cell line Caco-2, using pulse-chase radiolabeling and surface domain-selective biotinylation (Le Bivic, A., F. X. Real, and E. Rodriguez-Boulan. 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 86:9313-9317). While the basolateral proteins (antigen 525, HLA-I, and transferrin receptor) were targeted directly and efficiently to the basolateral membrane, the apical markers (sucrase-isomaltase [SI], aminopeptidase N [APN], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) reached the apical membrane by different routes. The large majority (80%) of newly synthesized ALP was directly targeted to the apical surface and the missorted basolateral pool was very inefficiently transcytosed. SI was more efficiently targeted to the apical membrane (greater than 90%) but, in contrast to ALP, the missorted basolateral pool was rapidly transcytosed. Surprisingly, a distinct peak of APN was detected on the basolateral domain before its accumulation in the apical membrane; this transient basolateral pool (at least 60-70% of the enzyme reaching the apical surface, as measured by continuous basal addition of antibodies) was efficiently transcytosed. In contrast with their transient basolateral expression, apical proteins were more stably localized on the apical surface, apparently because of their low endocytic capability in this membrane. Thus, compared with two other well-characterized epithelial models, MDCK cells and the hepatocyte, Caco-2 cells have an intermediate sorting phenotype, with apical proteins using both direct and indirect pathways, and basolateral proteins using only direct pathways, during biogenesis.

Vectorial apical delivery and slow endocytosis of a glycolipid-anchored fusion protein in transfected MDCK cells

To characterize the mechanisms that determine the apical polarity of proteins anchored by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), we studied the targeting of a GPI-anchored form of a herpes simplex glycoprotein, gD-1, in transfected MDCK cells. Using a biotin-based targeting assay, we found that GPI-anchored gD-1 was sorted intracellularly and delivered directly to the apical surface. Endocytosis of GPI-anchored gD-1 occurred slowly and preferentially from the apical domain, while transcytosis of the basolateral fraction did not occur at a significant rate (incompatible with being a precursor to the apical pool). Prevention of tight junction formation by incubation in medium with micromolar Ca2+ resulted in expression of GPI-anchored gD-1 on the free surface, but not on the attached surface of the cell. Our results indicate that the apical polarity of a GPI-anchored protein is generated by vectorial delivery to the apical membrane, where its distribution is maintained by slow endocytosis and by a retention system not necessarily involving the tight junction.

The distribution of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the retinal pigmented epithelium from chicken embryo is polarized in vivo but not in primary cell culture

The polarity of retinal pigmented epithelia (RPE) from chicken embryos was studied in primary cell culture. Since cultured RPE approximates the morphological polarity of RPE in vivo, we investigated whether this polarity extends to the distribution of plasma membrane proteins that are peculiar to RPE. In contrast to other epithelia, the Na+,K(+)-ATPase of RPE is located in the apical rather than basolateral plasma membrane. To examine this property, we cultured RPE on extracellular matrix-coated filters. Primary cultures were compared to embryonic RPE in situ using electron microscopy and indirect immunofluorescence of frozen sections. The viability and morphology of RPE was improved by using a serum-free medium containing a bovine pituitary extract in conjunction with an extracellular matrix coating derived from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumors. Cultured RPE mimicked the morphology of RPE in vivo with microvilli and junctional complexes on the apical pole and infoldings along the basolateral plasma membrane. Functional tight junctions formed as demonstrated by an EDTA-sensitive, transepithelial electrical resistance, and by the retention of [3H]inulin added to the apical chamber. In 2 hr, only 4-6% of the [3H]inulin crossed the monolayer, compared to 24% in control filters. Despite these features of polarity, the Na+,K(+)-ATPase was detected in both apical and basolateral membranes by immunofluorescence. In embryonic eyes in which the neural retina was removed, the Na+,K(+)-ATPase was confined to the apical membrane. In addition, the polarity of cultured RPE was probed with vesicular stomatitis virus. In contrast to other epithelia, budding virus particles were observed emerging from the apical, as well as basolateral, domain further suggesting the cultured cells were only partially polarized. These data indicate that structural criteria are inadequate to determine if cultured RPE have become polarized in the same manner as the epithelium in vivo.

Exocytic transport vesicles generated in vitro from the trans-Golgi network carry secretory and plasma membrane proteins

We have developed a cell-free assay that reproduces vesicular budding during exit from the Golgi complex. The starting preparation for the in vitro system was a rat liver stacked Golgi fraction immobilized on a magnetic solid support by means of an antibody against the cytoplasmic domain of the polymeric IgA receptor. Vesicular budding was ATP, cytosol, and temperature dependent and was inhibited by 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide. Budding was maximum within 10 min and originated preferentially from the trans-Golgi. Exocytic transport vesicles immunoisolated from the total budded population were enriched in the mature forms of secretory and membrane proteins destined to the basolateral plasma membrane and were depleted in lysosomal enzymes and galactosyl-transferase activity. The finding that a major proportion (greater than 70%) of newly synthesized, siaylated secretory and transmembrane proteins is contained in a single population of post-Golgi transport vesicles implies that, in a constitutively secreting cell, basolaterally destined proteins are sorted and packaged together into the same exocytic transport vesicles.

Distinct transport vesicles mediate the delivery of plasma membrane proteins to the apical and basolateral domains of MDCK cells

Immunoisolation techniques have led to the purification of apical and basolateral transport vesicles that mediate the delivery of proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the two plasma membrane domains of MDCK cells. We showed previously that these transport vesicles can be formed and released in the presence of ATP from mechanically perforated cells (Bennett, M. K., A. Wandinger-Ness, and K. Simons, 1988. EMBO (Euro. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 7:4075-4085). Using virally infected cells, we have monitored the purification of the trans-Golgi derived vesicles by following influenza hemagglutinin or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein as apical and basolateral markers, respectively. Equilibrium density gradient centrifugation revealed that hemagglutinin containing vesicles had a slightly lower density than those containing VSV-G protein, indicating that the two fractions were distinct. Antibodies directed against the cytoplasmically exposed domains of the viral spike glycoproteins permitted the resolution of apical and basolateral vesicle fractions. The immunoisolated vesicles contained a subset of the proteins present in the starting fraction. Many of the proteins were sialylated as expected for proteins existing the trans-Golgi network. The two populations of vesicles contained a number of proteins in common, as well as components which were enriched up to 38-fold in one fraction relative to the other. Among the unique components, a number of transmembrane proteins could be identified using Triton X-114 phase partitioning. This work provides evidence that two distinct classes of vesicles are responsible for apical and basolateral protein delivery. Common protein components are suggested to be involved in vesicle budding and fusion steps, while unique components may be required for specific recognition events such as those involved in protein sorting and vesicle targeting.

Recognition of the laminin E8 cell-binding site by an integrin possessing the alpha 6 subunit is essential for epithelial polarization in developing kidney tubules

It has been previously shown that A-chain and domain(E8)-specific antibodies to laminin that inhibit cell adhesion also interfere with the establishment of epithelial cell polarity during kidney tubule development (Klein, G., M. Langegger, R. Timpl, and P. Ekblom. 1988. Cell. 55:331-341). A monoclonal antibody specific for the integrin alpha 6 subunit, which selectively blocks cell binding to E8, was used to study the receptors involved. Immunofluorescence staining of embryonic kidneys and of organ cultures of metanephric mesenchyme demonstrated coappearance of the integrin alpha 6 subunit and the laminin A-chain in regions where nonpolarized mesenchymal cells convert into polarized epithelial cells. Both epitopes showed marked colocalization in basal areas of tubules, while an exclusive immunostaining for alpha 6 was observed in lateral and apical cell surfaces of the tubular epithelial cells. Organ culture studies demonstrated a consistent inhibition of kidney epithelium development by antibodies against the alpha 6 subunit. The data suggest that the recognition of E8 cell-binding site of laminin by a specific integrin is crucial for the formation of kidney tubule epithelium from undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells. In some other cell types (endothelium, some ureter cells) an exclusive expression of alpha 6 with no apparent colocalization of laminin A-chain in the corresponding basement membrane was seen. Thus, in these cells, integrins possessing the alpha 6 subunit may bind to laminin isoforms that differ from those synthesized by developing tubules.

Polarized release of enveloped viruses in the embryonic chick heart: demonstration of epithelial polarity in the presumptive myocardium

The presumptive myocardium of the embryonic vertebrate heart is composed of cells which exhibit the morphology of a cuboidal epithelium. To examine the functional polarity of these developing myocytes, embryonic chick hearts (Hamburger-Hamilton stages 10-13) were infected with either influenza virus (FLU) or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). These viruses have been shown to sort vectorially to either apical (FLU) or basolateral (VSV) membrane surfaces in monolayers of polarized kidney (MDCK) cells. Our results demonstrate that these viruses bud with comparable polarity from differentiating myocytes. However, there appear to be stage-dependent differences in the polarized budding of the two viruses: restricted basolateral release of VSV is present before or shortly after the formation of the heart tube, whereas polarized budding of FLU is established later in development. These results are discussed in terms of plasma membrane organization during the early stages of cardiac development.

Polarized integrin mediates human keratinocyte adhesion to basal lamina

Epithelial cell interactions with matrices are critical to tissue organization. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitations of cell lysates prepared from stratified cultures of human epidermal cells showed that the major integrins expressed by keratinocytes are alpha E beta 4 (also called alpha 6 beta 4) and alpha 2 beta 1. The alpha E beta 4 integrin is localized at the surface of basal cells in contact with the basement membrane, whereas alpha 2 beta 1/alpha 3 beta 1 integrins are absent from the basal surface and are localized only on the lateral surface of basal and spinous keratinocytes. Anti-beta 4 antibodies potently inhibited keratinocyte adhesion to matrigel or purified laminin, whereas anti-beta 1 antibodies were ineffective. Only anti-beta 4 antibodies were able to detach established keratinocyte colonies. These data suggest that alpha E beta 4 mediates keratinocyte adhesion to basal lamina, whereas the beta 1 subfamily is involved in cell-cell adhesion of keratinocytes.

Differentiation of an epithelium: factors affecting the polarized distribution of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in mouse trophectoderm

Na+,K(+)-ATPase is a marker of the basolateral plasma membrane domain of polarized epithelial cells, including the mural trophectoderm of the mammalian blastocyst (Watson and Kidder (1988). Dev. Biol. 126, 80-90). We have used this marker to explore the factors governing the establishment and maintenance of apical/basolateral polarity during differentiation of trophectoderm. A polyclonal antiserum (anti-GP80) against human cell-CAM 120/80, a homolog of the mouse cell-cell adhesion protein, uvomorulin, was used to prevent cell flattening (compaction) and formation of the epithelial junctional complex. The majority of treated embryos failed to develop a blastocoel; instead their blastomeres developed fluid-filled cavities that expanded while untreated control embryos were cavitating. Immunocytochemistry revealed that the catalytic subunit of Na+,K(+)-ATPase was contained within the membranes lining these cavities, as well as within numerous punctate foci in the cytoplasm. The down-regulation of expression of the enzyme that normally occurs in the ICM and polar trophectoderm did not take place, since the immunoreactivity remained equally strong in all blastomeres. The enzyme could not be detected in plasma membranes. We conclude that uvomorulin-mediated cell adhesion is involved in spatially restricting the expression of the catalytic subunit and is a prerequisite for the insertion of enzyme-laden vesicles into plasma membranes, but not for expression of the catalytic subunit gene. When fully developed blastocysts were treated with cytochalasins to disrupt the epithelial junctional complex, the catalytic subunit shifted from the basolateral to the apical plasma membrane. This finding suggests a primary role for the apical plasma membrane in the process of polarization, and implies that tight junctions are a manifestation of polarity that serve to maintain the separation between apical and basolateral markers.

Lipids, membrane receptors, and enzymes: effects of dietary fatty acids

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids can significantly affect many biochemical and physiologic functions that are related to inflammatory, immune, and protective reactions. The different types of fatty acids can impact on energy metabolism, determine the lipid composition of membranes, and influence eicosanoid synthesis, all of which are relevant to prevention of and recovery from illness. In this paper, the effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on membrane composition, membrane-associated enzyme and receptor functions, signal transduction, second messenger, and eicosanoid generation are summarized. The differential effects of the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-6 and n-3 families are reviewed in the context of optimizing levels in diets.

Generation of lipid polarity in intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells: sphingolipid synthesis in the Golgi complex and sorting before vesicular traffic to the plasma membrane

Generation of intestinal epithelial lipid polarity was studied in Caco-2 cells. Confluent monolayers on filters incorporated the exchangeable lipid N-6-NBD-aminocaproyl-sphingosine (C6-NBD-ceramide) from liposomes. The fluorescent ceramide was converted equally to C6-NBD-glucosylceramide and C6-NBD-sphingomyelin, analogues of lipids enriched on the apical and basolateral surface, respectively, of intestinal cells in vivo. Below 16 degrees C, where vesicular traffic is essentially blocked, each fluorescent product accumulated in the Golgi area. At 37 degrees C, 50% had been transported to the cell surface within 0.5 h, as measured by selective extraction of the fluorescent lipids onto BSA in the medium ("back-exchange") at 10 degrees C. Transport to the two surfaces could be assayed separately, as a diffusion barrier existed for both NBD-lipids and BSA. C6-NBD-glucosylceramide was enriched twofold apically, whereas C6-NBD-sphingomyelin was equally distributed over both domains. Polarities did not decrease when 37 degrees C incubations were carried out in the presence of increasing BSA concentrations to trap the fluorescent lipids immediately after their arrival at the cell surface. Within 10 min from the start of synthesis, both products displayed their typical surface polarity. Lipid transcytosis displayed a half time of hours. In conclusion, newly synthesized sphingolipids in Caco-2 cells are sorted before reaching the cell surface. Transcytosis is not required for generating the in vivo lipid polarity.

Tissue-specific sorting of the human LDL receptor in polarized epithelia of transgenic mice

The distribution of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors was studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy in epithelial cells of transgenic mice that express high levels of receptors under control of the metallothionein-I promoter. In hepatocytes and intestinal epithelial cells, the receptors were confined to the basal and basolateral surfaces, respectively. Very few LDL receptors were present in coated pits or intracellular vesicles. In striking contrast, in the epithelium of the renal tubule the receptors were present on the apical (lumenal) surface where they appeared to be concentrated at the base of microvilli and were abundant in vesicles of the endocytic recycling pathway. Intravenously administered LDL colloidal gold conjugates bound to the receptors on hepatocyte microvilli and were slowly internalized, apparently through slow migration into coated pits. We conclude that (a) sorting of LDL receptors to the surface of different epithelial cells varies with each tissue; and (b) in addition to a signal for clustering in coated pits, the LDL receptor may contain a signal for retention in noncoated membrane that is manifest in hepatocytes and intestinal epithelial cells, but not in renal epithelial cells or cultured human fibroblasts.

Novel function of the cell adhesion molecule uvomorulin as an inducer of cell surface polarity

Na+,K(+)-ATPase has distinctly different distributions in mesenchymal cells, where it has an unrestricted distribution over the entire cell surface, compared with polarized epithelial cells, where it is restricted to the basal-lateral membrane domain. The generation of this restricted distribution is important in mesenchyme to epithelia conversion in development and the function of transporting epithelia, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. Here we show that expression of the epithelial CAM uvomorulin in transfected fibroblasts is sufficient to induce a redistribution of Na+,K(+)-ATPase to sites of uvomorulin-mediated cell-cell contacts, similar to that in polarized epithelial cells. This restricted distribution of Na+,K(+)-ATPase occurs in the absence of tight junctions but coincides with the reorganization of the membrane cytoskeleton. The results indicate a direct role for CAMs as inducers of cell surface polarity of selective cytoplasmic and membrane proteins.

Polarized sorting of viral glycoproteins to the axon and dendrites of hippocampal neurons in culture

Cultured hippocampal neurons were infected with a temperature-sensitive mutant of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and a wild-type strain of the avian influenza fowl plague virus (FPV). The intracellular distribution of viral glycoproteins was monitored by immunofluorescence microscopy. In mature, fully polarized neurons the VSV glycoprotein (a basolateral protein in epithelial MDCK cells) moved from the Golgi complex to the dendritic domain, whereas the hemagglutinin protein of FPV (an apically sorted protein in MDCK cells) was targeted preferentially, but not exclusively, to the axon. The VSV glycoprotein appeared in clusters on the dendritic surface, while the hemagglutinin was distributed uniformly along the axonal membrane. Based on the finding that the same viral glycoproteins are sorted in a polarized fashion in both neuronal and epithelial cells, we propose that the molecular mechanisms of surface protein sorting share common features in the two cell types.

crumbs encodes an EGF-like protein expressed on apical membranes of Drosophila epithelial cells and required for organization of epithelia

We describe the molecular characterization of the Drosophila gene crumbs, which encodes an integral membrane protein with 30 EGF-like repeats in the extracellular part and exhibits a striking expression pattern. The protein is exclusively localized on the apical membranes of epithelial cells and concentrated at the borders between cells. Mutations in crumbs lead to severe disruptions in the organization of ectodermally derived epithelia and in some cases to cell death in these tissues. The structure and the expression pattern of the protein and the phenotype of mutations indicate a function of crumbs during the development of epithelia, possibly for the establishment and/or maintenance of cell polarity.

The ability of Salmonella to enter mammalian cells is affected by bacterial growth state

We have examined the effect of different growth conditions on the ability of Salmonella to interact with Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Two growth conditions that affect the expression of Salmonella adherence and invasiveness have been identified. First, bacteria lose their invasiveness in the stationary phase of growth. Second, bacteria growing in oxygen-limited growth conditions are induced for adherence and invasiveness, whereas those growing aerobically are relatively nonadherent and noninvasive. Salmonella from cultures aerated with gas mixtures containing 0% or 1% oxygen were 6- to 70-fold more adherent and invasive than those from cultures aerated with a gas mixture containing 20% oxygen. The Salmonella typhimurium oxrA gene that is required for the anaerobic induction of many proteins is not involved in the regulation of Salmonella invasiveness. We speculate that oxygen limitation might be an environmental cue that triggers the expression of Salmonella invasiveness within the intestinal lumen and other tissues.

Determination of apical membrane polarity in mammary epithelial cell cultures: the role of cell-cell, cell-substratum, and membrane-cytoskeleton interactions

The membrane glycoprotein, PAS-O, is a major differentiation antigen on mammary epithelial cells and is located exclusively in the apical domain of the plasma membrane. We have used 734B cultured human mammary carcinoma cells as a model system to study the role of tight junctions, cell-substratum contacts, and submembraneous cytoskeletal elements in restricting PAS-O to the apical membrane. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectronmicroscopy experiments demonstrated that while tight junctions demarcate PAS-O distribution in confluent cultures, apical polarity could be established at low culture densities when cells could not form tight junctions with neighboring cells. In such cultures the boundary between apical and basal domains was observed at the point of cell contact with the substratum. Immunocytochemical analysis of these cell-substratum contacts revealed the absence of a characteristic basement membrane containing laminin, collagen (IV), and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. However, serum-derived vitronectin was associated with the basal cell surface and the cells were shown to express the vitronectin receptor on their basolateral membranes. Additionally, treatment of cultures with antibodies against the vitronectin receptor caused cell detachment. We suggest, then, that interactions between vitronectin and its receptor, are responsible for establishment of membrane domains in the absence of tight junctions. The role of cytoskeletal elements in restricting PAS-O distribution was examined by treating cultures with cytochalasin D, colchicine, or acrylamide. Cytochalasin D led to a redistribution of PAS-O while colchicine and acrylamide did not. We hypothesize that PAS-O is restricted to the apical membrane by interactions with a microfilament network and that the cytoskeletal organization is dependent upon cell-cell and cell-substratum interactions.

Vectorial targeting of an endogenous apical membrane sialoglycoprotein and uvomorulin in MDCK cells

We studied the cell-surface delivery pathways of newly synthesized membrane glycoproteins in MDCK cells and for this purpose we characterized an endogenous apical integral membrane glycoprotein. By combining a pulse-chase protocol with domain-selective cell-surface biotinylation, immune precipitation, and streptavidin-agarose precipitation (Le Bivic et al. 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA. 86:9313-9317), we followed the appearance at the cell surface of a major apical sialoglycoprotein, gp114, a basolateral protein, uvomorulin, and a transcytosing protein, the polyimmunoglobulin receptor (pIg-R). We determined that both gp114 and uvomorulin appeared to be delivered directly to their respective surface, with mistargeting levels of 8 and 2%, respectively. Using the same technique, the pIg-R was first detected on the basolateral domain and then on the apical domain, to be finally released into the apical medium, as described (Mostov, K. E., and D. L. Deitcher. 1986. Cell. 46:613-621). To directly determine whether the gp114 pool present on the basolateral surface was a precursor of the apical gp114, we compared it with the equivalent pIg-R pool, by labeling with sulfo-NHS-SS-biotin, a cleavable, tight junction-impermeable probe, and by following the fraction of this probe that became resistant to basal glutathione and accessible to apical glutathione during incubation at 37 degrees C. We found that, contrary to pIg-R, basolateral gp114 was poorly endocytosed and was not transcytosed to the apical side. These results demonstrate that an endogenous apical integral membrane glycoprotein of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells is sorted intracellularly and is vectorially targeted to the apical surface.

Expression of extracellular matrix components is regulated by substratum

Reconstituted basement membranes and extracellular matrices have been demonstrated to affect, positively and dramatically, the production of milk proteins in cultured mammary epithelial cells. Here we show that both the expression and the deposition of extracellular matrix components themselves are regulated by substratum. The steady-state levels of the laminin, type IV collagen, and fibronectin mRNAs in mammary epithelial cells cultured on plastic dishes and on type I collagen gels have been examined, as has the ability of these cells to synthesize, secrete, and deposit laminin and other, extracellular matrix proteins. We demonstrate de novo synthesis of a basement membrane by cells cultured on type I collagen gels which have been floated into the medium. Expression of the mRNA and proteins of basement membranes, however, are quite low in these cultures. In contrast, the levels of laminin, type IV collagen, and fibronectin mRNAs are highest in cells cultured on plastic surfaces, where no basement membrane is deposited. It is suggested that the interaction between epithelial cells and both basement membrane and stromally derived matrices exerts a negative influence on the expression of mRNA for extracellular matrix components. In addition, we show that the capacity for lactational differentiation correlates with conditions that favor the deposition of a continuous basement membrane, and argue that the interaction between specialized epithelial cells and stroma enables them to create their own microenvironment for accurate signal transduction and phenotypic function.

Polarized transport of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor in transfected rabbit mammary epithelial cells

A cDNA for the rabbit low Mr polymeric immunoglobulin (poly-Ig) receptor was expressed in an immortalized rabbit mammary cell line. The intracellular routing of the receptor and its cell surface expression was analyzed in stably transfected cells grown on permeable supports. Initially the cells formed a monolayer with no transmural electrical resistance. All monolayer cells expressed the poly-Ig receptor and cytokeratin 7 filaments characteristic of luminal mammary cells but absent in myoepithelial cells. Within 7 d in culture, the cells underwent cytodifferentiation and formed a bilayer with a transepithelial electrical resistance of approximately 500 omega x cm2. Upper layer cells formed tight junctions with adjacent cells and gap junctions with basal cells. Expression of the poly-Ig receptor and cytokeratin 7 was restricted to the cells from the upper layer. The kinetics of receptor biosynthesis and processing was similar to that reported for rabbit mammary gland and rat liver. The receptor was cleaved at the apical cell surface and release of secretory component into the apical medium occurred with a half-time of approximately 2 h. Selective cell surface trypsinization combined with pulse-chase experiments served to determine at which cell surface domain newly synthesized receptor appeared first. The receptor was digested with a half-time of approximately 60 min with trypsin present in the basolateral medium and 90 min with apical trypsin. These data are consistent with selective targeting of newly synthesized receptor to the basolateral surface. The results indicate that transcytosis of the receptor from basolateral to apical membrane in the presence or the absence of its ligand requires approximately 30 min. Cleavage of the receptor by endogenous protease is not concomitant with its appearance at the apical surface, but requires additional time, thus explaining the presence of intact receptor on the apical membrane.