Cellular membranes and tumor behavior: a new hypothesis

The role of mitochondria-associated membranes in cellular homeostasis and diseases

Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are fundamental in the control of cell physiology regulating several signal transduction pathways. They continuously communicate exchanging messages in their contact sites called MAMs (mitochondria-associated membranes). MAMs are specific microdomains acting as a platform for the sorting of vital and dangerous signals. In recent years increasing evidence reported that multiple scaffold proteins and regulatory factors localize to this subcellular fraction suggesting MAMs as hotspot signaling domains. In this review we describe the current knowledge about MAMs' dynamics and processes, which provided new correlations between MAMs' dysfunctions and human diseases. In fact, MAMs machinery is strictly connected with several pathologies, like neurodegeneration, diabetes and mainly cancer. These pathological events are characterized by alterations in the normal communication between ER and mitochondria, leading to deep metabolic defects that contribute to the progression of the diseases.

A Highly Efficient Tumor-Targeting Nanoprobe with a Novel Cell Membrane Permeability Mechanism

Efficient tumor targeting has been a great challenge in the clinic for a very long time. The traditional targeting methods based on enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects show only an ≈5% targeting rate. To solve this problem, a new graphene-based tumor cell nuclear targeting fluorescent nanoprobe (GTTN), with a new tumor-targeting mechanism, is developed. GTTN is a graphene-like single-crystalline structure amphiphilic fluorescent probe with a periphery that is functionalized by sulfonic and hydroxyl groups. This probe has the characteristic of specific tumor cell targeting, as it can directly cross the cell membrane and specifically target to the tumor cell nucleus by the changed permeability of the tumor cell membranes in the tumor tissue. This new targeting mechanism is named the cell membrane permeability targeting (CMPT) mechanism, which is very different from the EPR effect. These probes can recognize tumor tissue at a very early stage and track the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells at the single cell level. The tumor-targeting rate is improved from less than 5% to more than 50%. This achievement in efficient and accurate tumor cell targeting will speed up the arrival of a new era of tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Sirt1 Is Required for Resveratrol-Mediated Chemopreventive Effects in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Sirt1 is a NAD⁺-dependent protein-modifying enzyme involved in regulating gene expression, DNA damage repair, metabolism and survival, as well as acts as an important subcellular target of resveratrol. The complex mechanisms underlying Sirt1 signaling during carcinogenesis remain controversial, as it can serve both as a tumor promoter and suppressor. Whether resveratrol-mediated chemopreventive effects are mediated via Sirt1 in CRC growth and metastasis remains unclear; which was the subject of this study. We found that resveratrol suppressed proliferation and invasion of two different human CRC cells in a dose-dependent manner, and interestingly, this was accompanied with a significant decrease in Ki-67 expression. By transient transfection of CRC cells with Sirt1-ASO, we demonstrated that the anti-tumor effects of resveratrol on cells was abolished, suggesting the essential role of this enzyme in the resveratrol signaling pathway. Moreover, resveratrol downregulated nuclear localization of NF-κB, NF-κB phosphorylation and its acetylation, causing attenuation of NF-κB-regulated gene products (MMP-9, CXCR4) involved in tumor-invasion and metastasis. Finally, Sirt1 was found to interact directly with NF-κB, and resveratrol did not suppress Sirt1-ASO-induced NF-κB phosphorylation, acetylation and NF-κB-regulated gene products. Overall, our results demonstrate that resveratrol can suppress tumorigenesis, at least in part by targeting Sirt1 and suppression of NF-κB activation.

Resveratrol induces chemosensitization to 5-fluorouracil through up-regulation of intercellular junctions, Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis in colorectal cancer

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a common chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), by itself has inadequate response rates; highlighting the need for novel and improved treatment regimens for these patients. Resveratrol, a naturally-occurring polyphenol, has been linked with chemosensitizing potential and anticancer properties; however, the underlying mechanisms for these effects remain poorly understood. The effect of resveratrol in parental CRC cell lines (HCT116, SW480) and their corresponding isogenic 5-FU-chemoresistant derived clones (HCT116R, SW480R) was examined by MTT assays, intercellular junction formation and apoptosis by electron- and immunoelectron microscopy, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and NF-κB regulated gene products by western blot analysis in a 3D-alginate microenvironment. Resveratrol blocked the proliferation of all four CRC cell lines and synergized the invasion inhibitory effects of 5-FU. Interestingly, resveratrol induced a transition from 5-FU-induced formation of microvilli to a planar cell surface, which was concomitant with up-regulation of desmosomes, gap- and tight junctions (claudin-2) and adhesion molecules (E-cadherin) expression in HCT116 and HCT116R cells. Further, resveratrol significantly attenuated drug resistance through inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors (decreased vimentin and slug, increased E-cadherin) and down-regulation of NF-κB activation and its translocation to the nucleus and abolished NF-κB-regulated gene end-products (MMP-9, caspase-3). Moreover, this suppression was mediated through inhibition of IκBα kinase and IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. Our results demonstrate that resveratrol can potentiate the anti-tumor effects of 5-FU on CRC cells by chemosensitizing them, inhibiting an EMT phenotype via up-regulation of intercellular junctions and by down-regulation of NF-κB pathway.

Metabolic iteration, evolution and cognition in cellular proliferation

A model for cellular proliferation is described according to which proliferation ensues when metabolism evolves towards commitment to DNA synthesis, and inhibition of proliferation occurs when enzymic interactions are iterated within a few metabolic pathways, another limiting factor being the supply of metabolites. The model successfully describes cellular growth and division as a 'cognitive process' based on interaction within enzymic elements and the genome, and affords an explanation in these terms of some empirical phenomena which have previously been understood only as isolated observations.

A comparison of lipids from liver and hepatoma subcellular membranes

Subcellular fractions of nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and cytosol were prepared from liver and hepatoma 7288CTC. Marker enzyme activities, biochemical compositions and electron microscopy were used to establish purity. Hepatoma NADH: cytochrome C reductase and 5'-nucleotidase exhibited abnormal subcellular distributions. The lipids from the subcellular fractions were examined in detail. Mitochondria and plasma membranes were characterized by elevated percentages of diphosphatidylglycerol and sphingomyelin, respectively, in both tissues. All hepatoma subcellular fractions contained dramatically elevated levels of sphingomyelin and cholesterol, two components that form preferential strong complexes in vitro. The fatty acid composition of hepatoma sphingomyelin differed markedly from liver and, unlike liver, did not exhibit organelle specific compositions. Some hepatoma lipid classes contained reduced percentages of palmitate while others contained higher levels. Hepatoma phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine from organelles contained lower percentages of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids than liver. Generally, unique fatty acid profiles exhibited by individual phospholipid classes of liver subcellular fractions were absent or much reduced in the hepatoma. The ratios of oleate to vaccenate were near one for most of the phospholipid classes of most liver fractions, but all hepatoma classes, with few exceptions, contained a much higher percentage of oleate in all subcellular fractions. The hypothesis is proposed that the origin of some acyl moieties for the biosynthesis of various hepatoma lipid classes differs from liver sources. The possible changes in acyl pools, sources and compartments for complex lipid biosynthesis could result in change in the quantities of molecular species that could contribute to the abnormal properties of the hepatoma membranes.

Changes occurring in plasma membranes and intercellular junctions during the process of carcinogenesis and in squamous cell carcinoma

A 0.5% mineral-oil solution of 9.10-dimethyl-1.2-benzanthracene (DMBA) was applied to artificial cecal pouches in the lower lips of rats. Ultrastructural studies were made of plasma membranes and intercellular junctions during the process of malignant transformation in the oral mucosal epithelium and after squamous cell carcinoma had been induced by the carcinogen. After the administration of DMBA, the inner leaflet of the membranes where the microfilaments are attached showed high electron density and intramembranous particles on the P-face of basal cells decreased to about half that of controls. However, on the E-face the number of intramembranous particles increased by approximately 10% compared with controls. Though the normal size range for intramembranous particles was 9-12 nm, the administration of DMBA caused aggregations of from three to six particles on the P-face. In squamous cell carcinomas, only the outer leaflet of the membranes showed high electron density; the number of intramembranous particles was 30% higher on the P-face and approximately three times higher on the E-face compared with controls and the morphology of the intramembranous particles, which formed irregular aggregates of from five to 20 particles, was specific. In animals treated with DMBA, the number of gap junctions decreased by between 50% and 70%, although no structural changes occurred. In squamous cell carcinomas, the area of gap junctions was about 50% lower and the number of gap junctions about 40% lower than in controls. Changes in the number and area of desmosomes were similar to those of gap junctions both in the DMBA-treated animals and in squamous cell carcinomas.

Phospholipids and Lipid Acyl Hydrolase (Phospholipase) in Leaf Galls (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae of Black Oak [Quercus robor L.])

Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin are the major phospholipids in young leaves of black oak (Quercus robor L.). Except for phosphatidylcholine, young, developing cynipid-galls on black oak leaves, i.e. the insect-transformed tissues, contain less phospholipid than normal leaf tissues. Lipid acyl hydrolase activity determined by the cleavage of free fatty acids from a labeled phospholipid substrate is higher in the tissue extracts from galls than from leaves. The increase in enzyme activity and the altered phospholipid composition are discussed in relation to expected membrane modifications and transport phenomena in insect-transformed tissues.

Abnormal matrix recognition by Morris hepatomas correlates with low glucagon binding capacity

Liver biomatrix contains a group of connective tissue components needed for attachment, survival, and maintenance of liver-specific functions of adult rat hepatocytes in culture. An acidic extract of liver biomatrix that contains a group of glycoproteins can replace intact biomatrix in promoting attachment and survival of hepatocytes. However, except for albumin synthesis, liver-specific functions have not been tested. Acidic extracts of biomatrices prepared from heart, kidney, lung, and spleen (heterologous) contain a similar group of glycoproteins, but differ with respect to liver glycoproteins in their capacity to sustain hepatocyte binding. Normal hepatocytes attach poorly to heterologous glycoprotein extracts, although regenerating and tumoral hepatocytes attach to liver glycoproteins and adhere equally well or with greater efficiency to heterologous glycoprotein extracts. The increased efficiency of hepatocytes to attach to kidney biomatrix-derived glycoproteins showed a linear correlation with the decreased glucagon binding capacity of their isolated plasma membranes. An epithelioid cell-line derived from kidney (MDCK) attached with higher efficiency to kidney than to liver glycoproteins. These results suggest that biomatrices may contain specific glycoproteins needed for attachment and survival of their epithelial cells. This specificity is lost during the proliferative state of regenerating and tumoral hepatocytes and could be important in the general mechanism of tumor dissemination and metastases.

Purification and characterization of a major cell surface glycoprotein in Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells which displays a potent concanavalin A receptor activity

A major cell surface sialoglycoprotein with Concanavalin A receptor activity has been isolated from rat Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells. The sialic acid residues of the plasma membrane glycoproteins were specifically labeled by oxidation and NaIO4 followed by reduction with NaB3H4. Surface-labeled glycoproteins were released by short incubations with TPCK-trypsin at 37 degrees C and then separated by gel filtration on Sepharose 6B column. The predominantly labeled fraction, GP II2, was then purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose equilibrated with 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5, and eluted with increasing molarities of NaCl. It was shown to be homogeneous by protein and carbohydrate staining on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, isoelectric focusing, rechromatography on DEAE-cellulose and immunoelectrophoresis. It has an apparent molecular weight of 110,000 daltons. The location of GP II2 on the cell surface was confirmed by the fact that it could be labeled metabolically with D-(3H) glucosamine and externally through the nonpenetrating periodate-NaB3H4 system. GP II2 could not be removed from the cell surface by high salt concentrations, chelator, or chaotropic agents but was released from the membrane by detergents. This suggests that GP II2 could be an integral protein. Analysis of the carbohydrate composition of GP II2 revealed galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and sialic acid as major constituents and mannose as a minor one. This suggests that it contains carbohydrate chains both O- and N-linked to the polypeptide chain, most of them being O-linked. Finally, GP II2 has a potent Concanavalin A receptor activity. It inhibits the interaction between Concanavalin A and hepatoma cells and suppresses its effects on hepatoma cell proliferation.

Manifestation of carcinogenesis as a stochastic process on the basis of an altered mitochondrial genome

Computer calculations are used to show the feasibility of a concept which explains the manifestation of a pathological cell function from a latent state by the phenomenon of extrachromosomal inheritance (through the mitochondrial genome) in mammalian cells. A hypothesis is submitted in which this principle is applied to the process of carcinogenesis. According to this concept, the manifestation of a tumor cell--after the initiation stage--entirely depends on stochastic events, i.e., random distribution of mitochondria during cell divisions, with an accumulation of the lesion in a few out of many cells. We feel that this concept comprises a better explanation of many characteristics and peculiarities of the phenomenon of carcinogenesis than do attempts which explain tumor formation as a phenomenon caused by mutation in a nuclear genome. A consideration of the principles presented automatically leads to a number of specific consequences with regard to carcinogenesis. Some of these consequences are discussed. They include: 1. the process of malignant transformation should not be irreversible for all the cells of a progeny; 2. the number of mitochondria in a cell type should be inversely correlated to tumor frequency; 3. the latent period should mainly be determined by the cell division rate and the "extent" of the initiating event; 4. susceptibility to carcinogenesis may be substantially higher if the number of mitochondria per cell line is increasing or decreasing, i.e., during the embryonic and fetal periods; 5. heterogeneous types of cells may arise from a single "initiated" cell, and 6. the process of malignant transformation should not necessarily be confined to one generation of the species. In addition, experimental approaches to support the submitted concept are suggested.

Glycolipids and fatty acids of two dog kidney cell lines

Glycolipid and fatty acid compositions were studied in whole cells and plasma membranes from two dog kidney cell lines (Madin-Darby and SV40-transformed cells) grown in monolayer and suspension cultures. Glycolipids, which account for 5% or less of the total lipids in dog kidney cells, were substantially increased in plasma membranes relative to whole cells. Sialoglycolipids more complex than a Tay-Sachs-like ganglioside were not found in any whole-cell or plasma-membrane preparation of this study. Dog kidney cells transformed by SV40 virus contained primarily a less complex sialoglycolipid, haematoside. Neutral glycolipids comprised 26-43% of the total glycolipid content in Madin-Darby preparations, whereas in transformed cells and membranes neutral glycolipids constituted only 1-22% of the total glycolipid content. Ceramide trihexoside was found in Madin-Darby cultures, but not in transformed cultures. The values for short-chain fatty acids from neutral glycolipids and for saturated fatty acids were generally higher than the values for these fatty acids in calf serum.

The mode of mitochondrial degeneration in gliomas

Morphologically abnormal mitochondria from human glial tumours are described. For each tumour both the appearances of the mitochondria, and the subsequent mode of degeneration and formation of osmiophilic pigment is characteristic. The significance of these observations is discussed, and it is suggested that the mode of degeneration observed reflects directly a fundamental abnormality in composition compared to normal mitochondria.

Antigenic distinctions of glycoproteins in plasma and mitochondrial membranes of lymphoid cells neoplastically transformed by simian virus 40

Highly purified plasma membranes from hamster lymphocytes transformed by simian virus 40 (GD 248) were compared with the membranes of normal cells by crossed immune electrophoresis, crossed-line immune electrophoresis, and bidimensional isoelectric focusing-immune electrophoresis. Antiserum raised by inoculation of guinea pigs with GD 248 membranes was used as serologic reagent, either directly or after absorption with membranes from normal cells. Bidimensional immune electrophoresis reveals the presence in the plasma membranes of GD 248 cells of at least three antigens not detectable in the membranes from the normal cell population. At least two of these are also present in the mitochondrial membranes of GD 248 cells, but none could be detected in membranes of embryonic fibroblasts. Bidimensional isoelectric focusing-immune electrophoresis indicates that the distinctive antigens of the GD 248 membranes are glycoproteins.

Agglutination reactions of spontaneous canine tumour cells, induced by concanavalin A, demonstrated by an isotopic assay

Quantitative assessment of the agglutination of 51Cr labelled canine cell suspensions to canine kidney cell monolayers has been performed over a range of concanavalin A concentrations. Agglutination was observed with all cell cultures tested, comprising four spontaneous canine melanomas, two canine mammary carcinomas, a benign mammary tumour and a contact-inhibited kidney cell line. The melanomas tested showed strong specific inhibition of concanavalin A agglutination by 10(-2)M alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside. Inhibition of agglutination of mammary tumour and kidney cells was weaker and less specific. Agglutination was inhibited at 4degrees C. Reduced agglutination to glutaraldehyde-fixed mono-layers was observed in the case of mammary tumours but was absent when contact-inhibited kidney cells were tested. The specificity of the reaction for transformed cells and the parameters involved are discussed.

The clonal evolution of tumor cell populations

It is proposed that most neoplasms arise from a single cell of origin, and tumor progression results from acquired genetic variability within the original clone allowing sequential selection of more aggressive sublines. Tumor cell populations are apparently more genetically unstable than normal cells, perhaps from activation of specific gene loci in the neoplasm, continued presence of carcinogen, or even nutritional deficiencies within the tumor. The acquired genetic insta0ility and associated selection process, most readily recognized cytogenetically, results in advanced human malignancies being highly individual karyotypically and biologically. Hence, each patient's cancer may require individual specific therapy, and even this may be thwarted by emergence of a genetically variant subline resistant to the treatment. More research should be directed toward understanding and controlling the evolutionary process in tumors before it reaches the late stage usually seen in clinical cancer.

Cyclic AMP, membrane transport and cell division. I. Effects of various chemicals on cyclic AMP levels and rate of transport of neucleosides, hypoxanthine and deoxyglucose in several lines of cultured cells

Nutrient transport rates and cyclic AMP levels have been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation. In the present study, however, changes in intracellular cyclic AMP level in several lines of cultured cells (normal 3T3 and SV40 and polyomavirus-transformed 3T3 cells; 3T6, C6 GLIOMA, MOUSE L, and Novikoff rat hepatoma cells) by treatment with papaverine, prostaglandine E1 or isoproterenol did not correlate with the inhibition of the uridine, hypoxanthine or deoxyglucose transport rates by these chemicals. Transport inhibitions by above chemicals or Persantin or Cytochalasin B occurred in most cell lines in the absence of any measurable change in intracellular cyclic AMP concentration. Furthermore, treatment of several cell lines with 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP had no immediate effect on the transport of uridine, thymidine or deoxyglucose, although the transport capacity of the cells for uridine and thymidine, but not that for deoxyglucose, decreased progressively with time of treatment. We also observed that the uridine transport system of all cell lines derived from 3T3 cells and the hypoxanthine transport system of L cells exhibited high degrees of resistance to inhibition by the various chemicals. On the other hand, deoxyglucose transport was inhibited to about the same extent by these chemicals in all the cell lines investigated.

The malignant cell and its membranes

In this brief review the hypothesis that altered membrane proteins and glycoproteins may be critical mediators of malignant expression is discussed. Examples of alterations of membrane proteins in malignancy are presented. Data is summarized showing changes in the carbohydrate components of glycoproteins of surface and internal membranes of malignant cells in culture as compared to their normal counterparts.

Evidence for pleiotropic changes in lines of Chinese hamster ovary cells resistant to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin-P

Lines of Chinese hamster ovary cells resistant to the lectins concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) have been isolated and characterized. Lines were isolated by a stepwise, a single-step, or a cycling single-step procedure, from both mutagen-treated and untreated cultures. The resistant lines showed a higher efficiency of colony formation in the presence of the appropriate lectin than did the wild-type parental line. The cell lines resistant to Con A did not exhibit any detectable cross resistance to PHA-P, nor did the PHA-resistant cells exhibit cross resistance to Con A. The toxicity of Con A from the wild-type and Con A-resistant lines was reduced in the presence of methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside; this effect was not seen with the PHA-resistant line. Using (125)I-labeled Con A, it was found that Con A was bound preferentially to the surface of intact cells, and that the amount of labeled Con A bound to intact cells was similar for the wild-type and lectin-resistant lines. The Con A-resistant lines were found to be more susceptible to the toxic effects of a number of different compounds, including cyclic AMP and its dibutyryl derivative, sodium butyrate, high concentrations of glucose, phenethyl alcohol, phenol, ouabain, and testosterone. It appears that, in these lines, acquisition of resistance to Con A gave rise to pleiotropic effects which were detected by changes in the sensitivity of the cells to a variety of agents.

Contact-inhibited revertant cell lines isolated from SV40-transformed cells. II. Ultrastructural study

The ultrastructural appearances of normal 3T3, SV40-transformed 3T3 (SV-3T3), and F1A revertant cell lines are compared. Both confluent and subconfluent cultures are described after in situ embedding of the cells for electron microscopy. There is striking nuclear pleomorphism in F1A revertant cells, with many cells having large nuclei compared to the less variable nuclear morphology of both normal 3T3 and SV-3T3 cells. Under the culture conditions used, deep infoldings of the nuclear envelope are prominent in growing cells, e.g., subconfluent normal 3T3 and confluent SV-3T3 cells. Such infoldings are infrequently seen in cultures which display contact inhibition of growth, e.g., normal 3T3 or F1A revertant cells grown just to confluence. In confluent cultures, the cytoplasmic organelles in revertant cells closely resemble those of normal 3T3 cells. In both normal and revertant cells in confluent culture, the peripheral cytoplasm (ectoplasm) has many 70 A filaments (alpha filaments), which are frequently aggregated into bundles. Alpha filaments are also abundant in the ectoplasm near regions of cell-to-cell apposition and in the motile cell processes (filopodia). The abundance and state of aggregation of alpha filaments correlates with contact inhibition of movement and growth in these cell lines since fewer bundles of alpha filaments are seen in growing cells than in contact-inhibited cells. This observation suggests that these filaments may be an important secondary component in the regulation of contact inhibition of movement and, possibly, of growth in normal and revertant cells.

Mucopolysaccharide which regulates growth in Neurospora

Neurospora produces a mucopolysaccharide (called MP) which inhibits its growth, causes vacuolation and agglutination of its cells, and precipitates its purified membrane protein. Cultures of a colonial strain display a phase of slow growth; the induction of this phase is traced to the production of MP by the mold. Stationary-phase cultures of wild type also produce MP. MP is a polymer of galactosamine, its amino groups only partially acetylated, probably containing other minor components. MP molecular weight is approximately 10(6). Complete acetylation abolishes the biological activities of MP. It is suggested that the regulatory effect of MP is mediated by its interaction with the protoplasmic membrane.

Restoration of contact-inhibited growth to transformed cells by dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate

Spontaneously transformed and virally-transformed cells are restored to contact-inhibited growth by the addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP to the nutrient medium. Theophylline, an inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase that degrades cyclic nucleotides, must also be present for maximal effect. Once the transformed cells reach a saturation density in the presence of the additives, release from the contact-inhibited state occurs upon removal of the dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline from the medium. Agglutinability of the transformed cells by wheat-germ agglutinin (a monitor of architectural changes in the plasma membrane) is decreased by dibutyryl cyclic AMP-theophylline treatment, but increases again upon removal of the additives.

Carcinogen and microsomal membrane interactions: changes in membrane density and ability to bind nucleic acids

DNA and synthetic copolymer polyribocytidylic-polyriboguanylic acid bind to microsomal membrane. The nucleic acid-membrane complex may be detected by centrifugation in cesium chloride density gradients. The density of the nucleic acid-membrane complex and, in certain cases, the amount of nucleic acid associated with the membrane was changed in the presence of various carcinogenic chemicals.

Polyribosomal attachment to rat liver and hepatoma endoplasmic reticulum in vitro. A method for its study

A system for study and measurement of the attachment in vitro of exogenous polyribosomes to membranes has been presented. Its main features are use of low temperature, post-microsomal supernatant, pyrophosphate and citric acid to remove ribosomes from the surface of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and a method for quantitative separation of unattached from membrane-associated polyribosomes. The following were found. (1) Rough endoplasmic reticulum, from which ribosomes had been removed by treatment with pyrophosphate and citrate, bound over 50% of added polyribosomes, whereas the untreated (or control) rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum treated with pyrophosphate-citrate did not bind polyribosomes. (2) The polyribosome-binding capacity of rough endoplasmic reticulum stripped of its ribosomes decayed upon storage of the membranes at 0-4 degrees C. The half-life of this decay was about 6 days whereas that of the polyribosome-binding capacity of hepatoma stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum was about 1.5 days. (3) Preparations of stripped rough endoplasmic reticulum after reassociation with polyribosomes in vitro were quite similar to preparations of native rough endoplasmic reticulum as viewed with the electron microscope. Evidence is presented to support the contention that association of polyribosomes with membranes was the result of polyribosomal reattachment to the membranes rather than trapping of the polyribosomes between vesicles of the membranes.