Characterization and topography of the glycoproteins of adrenal chromaffin granules

Membrane composition of adrenergic large and small dense cored vesicles and of synaptic vesicles: consequences for their biogenesis

The membrane proteins of adrenergic large dense cored vesicles, in particular those of chromaffin granules, have been characterized in detail. With the exception of the nucleotide carrier all major peptides have been cloned. There has been a controversy whether these vesicles contain antigens like synaptophysin, synaptotagmin and VAMP or synaptobrevin found in high concentration in synaptic vesicles. One can now conclude that large dense core vesicles also contain these peptides although in lower concentrations. The biosynthesis of large dense core vesicles is analogous to that of other peptide secreting vesicles of the regulated pathway. One cannot yet definitely define the biosynthesis of small dense core vesicles which apparently have a very similar membrane composition to that of large dense core vesicles. They may form directly from large dense core vesicles when their membranes have been retrieved after exocytosis. These membranes may become sorted in an endosomal compartment where peptides may be deleted or added. Such an addition could be derived from synaptophysin-rich vesicles present in adrenergic axons. However small dense core vesicle peptides may also be transported axonally independent of large dense core vesicles. For proving one of these possibilities some crucial experiments have been suggested.

Chromaffin granule membrane glycoprotein IV is identical with Ac45, a membrane-integral subunit of the granule's H(+)-ATPase

Glycoprotein IV of bovine adrenal chromaffin granule membranes was purified by membrane fractionation with Triton X-114 and lectin affinity chromatography. An antiserum raised against this protein recognized the same component as one directed against subunit Ac45 of the proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase in the granule membrane. Amino acid sequencing confirmed that glycoprotein IV and Ac45 are identical proteins, and also showed that they are derived from a larger precursor by removal of a 246-amino acid N-terminal sequence. Enzymatic deglycosylation indicated an apparent polypeptide molecular mass of 29 kDa for the mature Ac45/glycoprotein IV. Blue Native electrophoresis confirmed that this protein is a component of the membrane sector of the V-ATPase.

Glycoprotein III (clusterin, sulfated glycoprotein 2) in endocrine, nervous, and other tissues: immunochemical characterization, subcellular localization, and regulation of biosynthesis

Specific antisera were raised against the A and B chains of glycoprotein III. Immunoblotting revealed that in adrenal medulla both chains migrate very closely together in two-dimensional electrophoresis. Both chains with slightly differing molecular sizes are found in several endocrine tissues and in brain, kidney, liver, and serum. The mRNA has an analogous widespread distribution. In primary cultures of chromaffin cells the level of message becomes significantly increased by treatment with histamine or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate/forskolin. However, the increase is small when compared with that of secretogranin II. The subcellular localization of glycoprotein III in endocrine organs and in the posterior pituitary was investigated by subcellular fractionation and immunoelectron microscopy. Glycoprotein III was found to be confined to the large dense-core vesicles of these organs. For a discussion of the function of glycoprotein III, its localization in these organelles has to be taken into account.

Glycoprotein II from adrenal chromaffin granules is also present in kidney lysosomes

Glycoprotein II (GP II) is a protein found in the membranes of chromaffin granules from adrenal medulla. Immunoblotting (one- and two-dimensional) revealed that this antigen is also present in liver and in kidney. Subcellular fractionation of the latter organ indicated that GP II was present in lysosomes. This was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. The antiserum against GP II immunolabelled the membranes of organelles which could be identified as lysosomes by the labelling of their contents with an antiserum against cathepsin D. Thus GP II is an antigen common to secretory vesicles and lysosomes.

Identification and characterization of glycoproteins after extraction of bovine chromaffin-granule membranes with lithium di-iodosalicylate. Purification of glycoprotein II from the soluble fraction

Chromaffin-granule membranes were separated into insoluble and soluble fractions after extraction with lithium di-iodosalicylate (LDIS). These fractions were characterized by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and glycoproteins were detected after electroblotting with peroxidase-labelled concanavalin A and wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA). The LDIS-insoluble fraction contained components identified as glycoproteins III, H, J and K (carboxypeptidase H). Microsequence analysis indicated that component J is an N-terminally extended form of glycoprotein K. A major glycoprotein, GpII (Mr 80,000-100,000), present in the LDIS-soluble fraction was purified by affinity chromatography on WGA-Sepharose. This was characterized by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with Coomassie Blue staining, by amino acid analysis and automated N-terminal sequence analysis. Extraction of chromaffin-granule membranes with LDIS is a simple and rapid procedure that facilitates studies concerned with the structure and function of membrane glycoproteins from these and other secretory granules.

Topography of a vacuolar-type H+-translocating ATPase: chromaffin-granule membrane ATPase I

Proteins exposed on the cytoplasmic face of isolated chromaffin granules were labelled by lactoperoxidase-catalysed radioiodination and by non-enzymic biotinylation. Granule membranes were then prepared, and the H+-translocating ATPase isolated by fractionation with Triton X-114. The labelling of individual ATPase subunits was assessed by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, followed by autoradiography or by blotting and decoration with 125I-labelled streptavidin. Subunits of 72, 57 and kDa were strongly labelled, and could be removed from the membrane at pH 11: they are therefore extrinsic proteins. The 120 kDa subunit was also labelled, but it was not solubilized at pH 11. Photolabelling with a hydrophobic probe indicated that this subunit penetrates the bilayer, and enzymic degradation studies showed the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides; this subunit therefore spans the chromaffin-granule membrane. Labelling of the 17 kDa subunit occurred predominantly on the extracytoplasmic (matrix) face of the granule membrane. These results are consistent with this V-type ATPase having a structure that is generally similar to that of mitochondrial (F-type) ATPases, although the attachment of the 120 kDa subunit may be asymmetrical.

Immunological characterization of a membrane glycoprotein of chromaffin granules: its presence in endocrine and exocrine tissues

A glycoprotein was isolated from detergent solubilized membranes of bovine chromaffin granules by high-performance liquid chromatography. Specific antisera raised against this glycoprotein reacted in one- and two-dimensional immunoblots with a heterogeneous component with a pI of 4.2-4.7 and Mr 100,000. The antiserum against bovine glycoprotein II cross-reacted with an analogous component in several species. The specific localization of glycoprotein II in chromaffin granules was established by density gradient centrifugation followed by immunoblotting. The antiserum, as shown by one- and two-dimensional immunoblotting, reacted with an analogous antigen in the posterior pituitary, in endocrine (anterior pituitary, parathyroid gland) and exocrine (parotid gland, pancreas) organs. In the pancreas the protein reacting with the antiserum was found in the membranes of zymogen granules. The results demonstrate for the first time that secretory vesicles of endocrine and exocrine tissues have at least one common antigen, i.e. the glycoprotein II. It seems likely that this protein is involved in a basic function common to all secretory vesicles.

Fractionation of membrane proteins by temperature-induced phase separation in Triton X-114. Application to subcellular fractions of the adrenal medulla

After solubilization with the detergent Triton X-114, membrane proteins may be separated into three groups: if the membrane is sufficiently lipid-rich, one family of hydrophobic constituents separates spontaneously at low temperature; warming at 30 degrees C leads to separation of a detergent-rich phase and an aqueous phase. Using the chromaffin-granule membrane as a model, we found that many intrinsic membrane glycoproteins are found in the latter phase, probably maintained in solution by adherent detergent. They precipitate, however, when this is removed by dialysis, leaving in solution those truly hydrophilic proteins that were originally adhering to the membranes. We have used this method with mitochondria, and with Golgi- and rough-endoplasmic-reticulum-enriched microsomal fractions: it has proved to be a rapid and convenient method for effecting a partial separation of proteins from a variety of different membranes.

Structure of catecholamine secretory vesicles from PC12 cells

Catecholamine secretory organelles were partially purified from PC12 cells. Measurement of the sedimentation coefficient (540S in 0.32 M sucrose), density in an isoosmotic gradient (1.139 g/cm), and density in an isoosmotic gradient using D2O as a solvent (1.205 g/cm3) have allowed us to calculate the molecular weight (1.17 X 10(9) daltons), radius (74 nm), and water content (62% vol/vol) of the secretory vesicle. The vesicle appears to contain ATP, but the molar ratio of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) to ATP in the particles is high (16.5) and the ATP was frequently asymmetrically distributed in the vesicle fraction. The particle behaves like a true secretory particle in that the dopamine content of the particle is increased by pargyline, diminished by depolarization, and abolished by reserpine. Sequential purification of PC12 lysates on controlled pore glass columns and isoosmotic Ficoll gradients produced a 20-30-fold purification, but this enrichment is not sufficient to produce a homogeneous population of vesicles. An 82,000-dalton protein copurifies with secretory granules and appears to be the major secreted protein. At this stage of purification this single protein makes up about 30% of the protein in the vesicle-containing fractions and so the vesicles must be approaching homogeneity.

Ultrastructural localization of chromogranin: a potential marker for the electron microscopical recognition of endocrine cell secretory granules

Using a monoclonal antibody (LK2H10) directed against human chromogranin, we have been able to localize this soluble glycoprotein to the matrix of secretory granules from a wide variety of endocrine cells. In the gut, enterochromaffin, enteroglucagon, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, gastrin, and neurotensin-containing cells exhibit chromogranin immunoreactivity. In our system, chromogranin-immunoreactive material was restricted to the halo of human pancreatic glucagon-containing secretory granules within A-cells. Chromogranin immunoreactivity was also localized to secretory granules in phaeochromocytomas, gastrinomas, medullary carcinomas of the thyroid and a carotid body tumour (chemodectoma). Chromogranin is proposed as a potential marker for the ultrastructural recognition of endocrine cell secretory granules.

Glycoproteins of the chromaffin granule membrane: separation by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identification by lectin binding

The proteins of highly purified chromaffin-granule membranes were separated by one- or two-dimensional electrophoresis, then transferred to nitrocellulose sheets; glycosylation was investigated by binding of several different radioiodinated lectins. Over 20 different glycosylated components were identified; comparison with mitochondrial and microsomal fractions suggested that most of the major glycoproteins are genuine components of the chromaffin granule membrane, rather than contaminants originating in other organelles. Two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed heterogeneity within several of the glycoproteins, and this is ascribed to differences in the state of glycosylation, on the basis of shifts in electrophoretic mobility produced by treatment with neuraminidase. Neuraminidase treatment of chromaffin granule membranes also enhances the binding of many lectins. The identities of the lectin-binding bands are discussed: neither cytochrome b561 nor the F1-like ATPase appears to be glycosylated. Chromogranin A, although a glycoprotein, does not bind any of the lectins tested, but a number of concanavalin-A binding proteins, as well as dopamine beta-hydroxylase, are present in the chromaffin granule lysate.

Exocytotic exposure and retrieval of membrane antigens of chromaffin granules: quantitative evaluation of immunofluorescence on the surface of chromaffin cells

The exocytotic exposure of antigens of chromaffin granule membranes was studied with chromaffin cells isolated from bovine adrenal medulla. Antigens on the cell surface were visualized by indirect membrane immunofluorescence employing antisera against glycoprotein III and dopamine beta-hydroxylase. With unstimulated cells, only weak immunofluorescence on the cell surface was observed, whereas stimulated cells (with carbachol or Ba2+) exhibited much stronger reactions. In all cases the staining appeared as dots and patches. To quantitatively prove these observations, we analyzed the immunostained cells using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. After stimulation, the average fluorescence intensity of the cell population was enhanced. This increase correlated with the degree of catecholamine secretion. The fluorescence intensity of stimulated cells varied over a broad range indicating that individual cells reacted variably to the secretagogues. When stimulated cells were incubated at 37 degrees C for up to 45 min after stimulation, a decrease of membrane immunofluorescence approaching that of unstimulated control cells was observed. Apparently, the membranes of chromaffin granules, which had been incorporated into the plasma membrane, were retrieved by a specific and relatively fast process. This retrieval of the antigen from the cell surface was blocked by sodium azide, but not influenced by colchicine, cytochalasin B, and trifluoperazine. The quantitative methods established in this paper should prove useful for further study of the kinetics of the exo-endocytotic cycle in secretory tissues.

Isolation and immunological characterization of a glycoprotein from adrenal chromaffin granules

A glycoprotein (s-GP III) was isolated from the soluble lysate of chromaffin granules by chromatography with immunoaffinity and lectin columns. An identical protein (m-GP III) was shown to be present in the granule membranes. The apparent molecular weight of these glycoproteins as determined by the electrophoresis system of Laemmli (1970) was 43,000 under reducing conditions. In the absence of mercaptoethanol they aggregated to dimers. Antisera were raised against both the soluble and the membrane-bound forms of this glycoprotein. With these antisera GP III was further characterized: Immunoreplicas were obtained after two-dimensional electrophoresis of soluble and membrane-bound proteins of chromaffin granules. GP III was identified as a protein with a rather broad pI (4.6-5.3), indicating microheterogeneity. As shown by subcellular fractionation, m-GP III is specifically confined to chromaffin granules. GP III can therefore be used as a marker for the membranes of these organelles. The soluble form is secreted from adrenal medulla during stimulation with carbamylcholine chloride. An immunologically identical antigen was detected in adeno- and neurohypophysis. The physiological function of GP III is still unknown. It does not demonstrate any of the enzymatic activities so far known to occur in chromaffin granules.

Comparative studies on Ca2+- and Mg2+-binding of sarcoplasmic reticulum and chromaffin granule membranes

The binding of calcium and magnesium ions to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and chromaffin granule membranes was comparatively studied. The SR membranes are equipped with equal quantities of binding sites for both calcium and magnesium ions. The binding sites in presence of ATP combine specifically with calcium ions, while in the absence of ATP the binding sites react unspecifically with both ions. The trace amount of magnesium present in the SR membranes preparations is sufficient to drive ATP dependent calcium accumulation. Magnesium binding, however, is not affected by ATP. The chromaffin granule membranes bind calcium and magnesium in the same concentration range as observed for the SR membranes. Magnesium binding, however, is two times higher than that of calcium binding. In the absence of ATP, calcium and magnesium ions mutually compete. In the presence of ATP, magnesium binding values increase 3-5-fold, while the calcium binding isotherm remains unchanged. The appreciable contribution of the lipid phase to ions binding has been investigated, but was found to be of minor importance in this study.

Visualization of the exocytosis/endocytosis secretory cycle in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells

Cultured bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells were stimulated to secrete catecholamines by addition of veratridine or nicotine. The formation of an exocytotic pit exposes a major secretory granule membrane antigen, the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase, to the external medium. By including antiserum to this enzyme in the medium, we were able to visualize sites of exocytosis by decoration of bound antibody using a fluorescent second antibody. Internalization of this antibody-antigen complex was then followed in chase experiments: approximately half the surface complex was internalized in 15-30 min. In other experiments, secretion was triggered in the absence of antiserum, and surface enzyme was revealed by binding antibodies at various times after secretion had been halted by an antagonist. Surface patches of antigen remained discrete from the bulk of the plasma membrane for at least 30 min, although a substantial proportion of the antigen was internalized within this time. Cell surface concanavalin A receptors were internalized at a roughly similar rate, suggesting that mechanisms may be similar. After internalization, chromaffin granule membranes fused to larger structures, possibly lysosomes, and were transported over a few hours to the perinuclear region of the cell.

Separation by different methods of soluble proteins isolated from sympathetic splenic nerves

The soluble proteins of sympathetic splenic nerves were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-HPLC on TSK-GEL-SW columns and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). With HPLC the main fractions had apparent molecular weights Mr 150,000, 75,000-85,000, 27,000 and less 5000, with SDS-HPLC the Mr values were 75,000, 13,500 and less 5000 and with SDS-PAGE the Mr were 75,000, 55,000, 45,000 and less 12,500. Of the proteins eluted after electrofocusing, the bands of pH 4.0-5.2 showed a single peak of Mr 75,000 in all separation methods used; in the range pH 5.8-6.5, proteins with Mr 150,000 were found by HPLC, 75,000 by SDS-HPLC and 55,000 and 45,000 by SDS-PAGE. The Mr 150,000 fraction in the range pH 5.8-6.5 showed DOPA decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.28) activity. The results provide new information about the soluble proteins of sympathetic nerve.

Subcellular fractions of the adrenal medulla. Comparison by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Subfractions of adrenal medullary homogenates were analyzed in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels to assess the extent of protein homology. Chromaffin granule proteins were highly acidic, with the exception of the soluble form of the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.17.1). The purified granule membrane proteins were more heterogeneous, but still predominantly acidic. The soluble and membrane forms of dopamine beta-hydroxylase behaved identically in this gel system. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination of intact granules revealed that most, but not all, granule membrane proteins are accessible at the cytoplasmic face. Prominent proteins of the purified adrenal medullary mitochondria showed little if any homology with purified granule membranes. The crude microsome fraction showed significant homology with purified granule membranes despite low levels of cross-contamination between the two fractions in marker enzyme analysis. Among proteins that could be identified, dopamine beta-hydroxylase was at a low level in the microsomes, while the granule membrane protein cytochrome b-561 appeared to be in both fractions. The pattern obtained from primary cultures of adrenal chromaffin cells was very complex, but prominent proteins from the subcellular fractions were seen without difficulty. Actin and tubulin were very prominent in the whole cell pattern. Radioiodination of the whole cells resulted in a number of spots being labelled, although the majority of the label appeared to be in only two proteins of molecular weight 70000 and isoelectric point 5.7.

The topography of gangliosides in the membrane of the chromaffin granule of bovine adrenal medulla

We have studied the topography of the gangliosides of the adrenal chromaffin granules by using neuraminidase to remove sialic acid from membrane gangliosides of intact and ruptured chromaffin granules. Residual sialic acid was then measured to compare the availability of gangliosides on the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane. Measurement of protein sialic acid served as a control since these residues are known to be on the inner surface of the membrane. Prolonged digestion of broken membranes showed that maximally 75% of both lipid and protein-bound sialic acid residues are available to neuraminidase. Prolonged digestion of intact granules produced no measureable loss of sialic acid from either protein or lipid fractions. Comparison of the thin-layer chromatograms of gangliosides extracted from digested and undigested membranes showed no preferential digestion of any component. We conclude that at least 75% of the gangliosides are on the inner leaflet of the membrane and suggest that all of the gangliosides are so located.

Characterization of catecholamine-storage organelles in transplantable phaeochromocytoma and adrenal glands of rats

The properties of the catecholamine-storing organelles from transplantable rat phaeochromocytoma and rat adrenal glands were compared by density gradient centrifugation. It was shown that tumour granules are more heterogeneous and less dense than adrenal granules. Both granule preparations can take up catecholamines and nucleotides by a process driven by an electrochemical proton gradient. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase and glycoprotein III were analysed by immunological techniques. Glycoprotein III was shown to be a specific component of chromaffin granules. Tumour tissue (average weight 700 mg) contains amounts of these antigens comparable to those in 210 adrenals. The biosynthesis of granules in the tumour apparently occurs at a low rate, making turnover studies difficult. The transplantable rat phaeochromocytoma is very useful for studies on the uptake properties and the immunological characteristics of rat catecholamine storage granules because on tumour provides an amount of material that could otherwise be obtained only from a large number of adrenal glands.

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase and other glycoproteins from the soluble content and the membranes of adrenal chromaffin granules: isolation and carbohydrate analysis

Chromogranin A and two other proteins (A1 and A2) of the soluble proteins of bovine chromaffin granules were isolated by extraction from polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis. The carbohydrate content of these proteins was 5%, with galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and sialic acid as the main sugars. Membranes of chromaffin granules were solubilized with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and three glycoproteins were isolated by sequential affinity chromatography on Concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ lectin (WGL) Sepharose columns. Two glycoproteins, designated GP II and III, were found to have a high carbohydrate content of about 30%. Mannose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and sialic acid were the main sugars. In addition membrane-bound dopamine beta-hydroxylase was isolated by this procedure. No significant differences between the carbohydrate composition of the membrane-bound and the soluble enzyme were revealed. It was shown that all four subunits of dopamine beta-hydroxylase possess carbohydrate chains with an affinity for Con A. The isolation methods established in this study will be useful for immunological studies on these glycoproteins.

Glycoproteins from adult rat brain synaptic vesicles. Fractionation on four immobilized lectins

Glycoproteins obtained from large amounts of highly purified synaptic vesicles isolated from adult rat brain were fractionated by sequential affinity chromatography in the presence of SDS on four different immobilized lectins: concanavalin A, Ulex europeus lectin, Ricinus sanguinis lectin and wheat germ agglutinin. 83% of the total protein-bound sugar of synaptic vesicles can be adsorbed on the lectins and separated from the bulk of carbohydrate free proteins. Nine fractions containing only glycoproteins and differing by their terminal sugars were separated by analysed for their carbohydrate composition and electrophoretic profiles. A considerable heterogeneity of the glycoprotein population was observed which cannot be explained solely by the microheterogeneity of the glycans of the synaptic vesicle glycoproteins.

Identification of a synaptic vesicle-specific membrane protein with a wide distribution in neuronal and neurosecretory tissue

Two different monoclonal antibodies, characterized initially as binding synaptic terminal regions of rat brain, bind a 65,000-dalton protein, which is exposed on the outer surface of brain synaptic vesicles. Immunocytochemical experiments at the electron microscope level demonstrate that these antibodies bind the vesicles in many different types of nerve terminals. The antibodies have been used successfully to purify synaptic vesicles from crude brain homogenates by immunoprecipitation onto the surface of polyacrylamide beads. The profiles of the structures precipitated by these beads are almost exclusively vesicular, confirming the vesicle-specificity of the antibodies. In SDS gels, the antibodies bind a single protein of 65,000 daltons. The two antibodies are not identical, but compete for binding sites on this protein. Immune competition experiments also demonstrate that the antigenic components on the 65,000-dalton protein are widely distributed in neuronal and neural secretory tissues. Detectable antigen is not found in uninnervated tissue--blood cells and extrajunctional muscle. Low levels are found in nonneural secretory tissues; it is not certain whether this reflects the presence of low amounts of the antigen on all the exocytotic vesicles in these tissues or whether the antigen is found only in neuronal fibers within these tissues. The molecular weight and at least two antigenic determinants of the 65,000-dalton protein are highly conserved throughout vertebrate phylogeny. The two antibodies recognize a 65,000-dalton protein present in shark, amphibia, birds, and mammals. The highly conserved nature of the determinants on this protein and their specific localization on secretory vesicles of many different types suggest that this protein may be essential for the normal function of neuronal secretory vesicles.

Glycoproteins and glycopeptides in the chromaffin granule membrane

The glycoproteins and glycopeptides of adrenal chromaffin granule membranes have been analyzed by gel filtration, electrophoresis, and amino acid analysis. It has been found that almost all of the polypeptides present in the membrane are glycoproteins. Indeed, most of these possess sugar specificities which permit binding to concanavalin A-Sepharose. A new set of low-molecular-weight glycopeptides was found. There is an inverse correlation between carbohydrate content and polypeptide molecular weight.

Organisation of the proteins of the chromaffin granule membrane

The organisation of the protein components of bovine chromaffin granules has been investigated by labelling or digesting intact granules or broken membranes with the following reagents: lactoperoxidase/Na125I as a reagent for tyrosine residues, N-(iodoacetylaminoethyl)-5-naphthylamine-1-sulphonic acid as a reagent for cysteine residues, pronase, and galactose oxidase/KB3H4. Following treatment, membranes were purified and washed and proteins were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. Rather more than 60 bands were resoved, of which about 40 were relatively intense and reproducible. The bands were classified according to their molecular weights and sensitivity to reagents. Penetration of the membranes by the reagents was assessed by examination of intragranular porteins. The majority of chromaffin granule membrane polypeptides became labelled when intact granules were treated with impermeant reagents. Eleven were probably protected in the intact granules, reactive sites becoming exposed only on membrane lysis. By contrast, carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins appear to be exposed only on the matrix side of the membrane. Two proteins were shown to span the membrane, although this is probably an underestimate.