Total cellular activity and distribution of a subpopulation of galactosyl receptors in isolated rat hepatocytes are differentially affected by microtubule drugs, monensin, low temperature, and chloroquine.

We studied the effects of low temperature (20-37 degrees C), monensin, chloroquine, and microtubule drugs on the cellular distribution and activity of galactosyl (Gal) receptors in isolated rat hepatocytes. After equilibration at 37 degrees C, hepatocytes were incubated at 37 degrees C, 31 degrees C, 25 degrees C, or 20 degrees C or treated with or without inhibitors at 37 degrees C in the absence of ligand. The cells were then assayed at 4 degrees C for 125I-asialo-orosomucoid binding, to measure receptor activity, or 125I-anti-Gal receptor IgG binding, to measure receptor protein. Surface or total (surface and intracellular) Gal receptor activity and protein were measured on intact or digitonin-permeabilized cells, respectively. These inhibitors fell into two categories. Type I inhibitors (sub-37 degrees C temperatures or colchicine) induced receptor redistribution but not inactivation. Treated cells lost up to 40% of surface Gal receptor activity and protein. Lost surface receptors were recovered intracellularly with no loss of receptor activity. Type II inhibitors (monensin or chloroquine) induced receptor inactivation but not redistribution. Treated cells lost 50-65% of their surface Gal receptor activity but only less than or equal to 15% of their surface receptor protein. These cells lost up to 60% of total cellular Gal receptor activity with no loss of total receptor protein. Of the total inactive Gal receptors, up to 50% and 75%, respectively, were present intracellularly in monensin- and chloroquine-treated cells. Loss of ligand binding to permeable treated cells was not due to changes in receptor affinity. A third category, Type III inhibitors (metabolic energy poisons that deplete ATP) induce both Gal receptor redistribution and inactivation (Biochemistry 27:2061, 1988). We conclude that only one of the two previously characterized subpopulations of Gal receptors on hepatocytes, termed State 2 receptors (J Biol Chem 265:629, 1990), recycles constitutively. The activity and distribution of State 2 but not State 1 Gal receptors are differentially affected by these specific drugs or treatments.