[A cytoskeletal protein with a molecular weight of 100 kD is a component of the endosomes participating in receptor-mediated endocytosis].

Our previous paper (Rodionov et al., 1985) reported production of monoclonal antibodies RN-17 reacting in cultured fibroblasts with a protein having a molecular weight of 100 kD. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy showed that this protein was a component of microtubules, intermediate filaments and coated vesicles. We challenged a possibility whether these coated vesicles containing the 100 kD protein may take part in the receptor-mediated endocytosis. alpha 2-Macroglobulin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate or 20 nm colloidal gold particles was used as a marker of the receptor-mediated endocytosis. Mouse embryo fibroblasts or Swiss 3T3 cells were incubated with labeled alpha 2 M, fixed and "stained" with DN-17 antibody, and the distribution of alpha 2 M and 100 kD protein was examined within the same cells. In both cell lines the endocytic vesicles contained 100 kD protein and alpha 2 M. Therefore 100 kD protein is a component of endocytic vesicles. Probably this protein mediates microtubule-dependent transport of endocytic vesicles in the cells.