Recycling of the asialoglycoprotein receptor and the effect of lysosomotropic amines in hepatoma cells.

Receptor-mediated uptake and degradation of 125I-asialoorosomucoid (ASOR) in human hepatoma HepG2 cells is inhibited by the lysosomotropic amines chloroquine and primaquine. In the absence of added ligand at 37 degrees C, these amines induce a rapid (t1/2 5.5-6 min) and reversible loss of cell surface 125I-ASOR binding sites as well as a rapid decrease in 125I-ASOR uptake and degradation.

Characterization of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in a continuous hepatoma line.

The asialoglycoprotein receptor has been identified on a continuous human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. This receptor requires Ca2+ for ligand binding and is specific for asialoglycoprotein. There are approximately 150,000 ligand molecules bound/cell at 4 degrees C.

Synthesis and secretion of alkaline phosphatase in vitro from first-trimester and term human placentas.

The synthesis and secretion of alkaline phosphatases in vitro by human placental tissue incubated in organ culture were studied. First-trimester placenta synthesizes and secretes two different alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (heat-labile and heat-stable), whereas in term placenta nearly all the alkaline phosphatase synthesized and secreted is heat-stable. The specific activities of alkaline phosphatases in first-trimester and term placental tissue remain constant throughout the time course of incubation.

Oxidation of arachidonic acid in micelles by superoxide and hydrogen peroxide.

Arachidonic acid was co-oxidized by xanthine oxidase. Both superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide were required for oxidation, as shown by essentially complete inhibition caused by superoxide dismutase or by catalase. Pure arachidonate, free of lipid hydroperoxides, was susceptible to this co-oxidation, and the presence of lipid hydroperoxides did not accelerate the process.